Enlightenment Artwork Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Enlightenment Artwork - Essay Example For example, a little blood is seen on Watson’s right leg beneath the translucent green waves and a small amount is also shown on the shark’s teeth. Watson is also painted as bare and completely naked, meticulously highlighting his gleaming muscular body outstretched in stark contrast to the shark’s dark and leering form. He is literally shown as emerging and being rescued from the jaws of death, symbolizing his rebirth and entry into life. Copley produced this painting around the time of great political conflict and it also immediately brings to mind the Revolutionary War, skillfully highlighting a strong political message. For example, Watson, a British Tory, is heroically rescued and salvaged from the watery depths. Similarly, the two countries, America and Britain, had also recently emerged from a bloody war. Watson’s resurrection both physically and spiritually along with his political ascension, symbolizes the renewal and restoration of Britain and i ts power.