Final answer:
The painting 'Slave Ship' by J.M.W. Turner is a powerful work that depicts the tragic realities of the slave trade through a scene of tumultuous ocean waves and the inhuman act of throwing slaves overboard. It is a political statement as well as a reflection on nature's might and historical transformations. Option 2 is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The painting Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On), created by Joseph Mallord William Turner in 1840, is renowned for its powerful depiction of the tragedies of the slave trade.
Contrary to the options provided, it is neither a romantic landscape, a portrait of Turner himself, nor a mere depiction of a stormy sea. Instead, the work captures a scene with roaring and tumultuous waves, emphasizing the emotional intensity and turmoil of the subject matter.
The image portrays the horrific practice by some slavers of throwing overboard the dead and dying slaves in order to collect insurance money.
Turner was known for seeking sublime subjects that invoked awe or horror, and his painting The Slave Ship is no exception. This masterpiece offers not just a maritime narrative but also serves as a strong political statement against the atrocities of the slave trade. Through his artworks, including The Fighting Temeraire and others, Turner engaged with themes of nature's power, industrial progress, and historical change, often using dramatic visual effects to emphasize his points.