Artwork

Breaking Up of the Agamemnon

Breaking Up of the Agamemnon, by Francis Seymour Haden, ink, 1870
Breaking Up of the Agamemnon, by Francis Seymour Haden, ink, 1870

Breaking Up of the Agamemnon is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Francis Seymour Haden. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Breaking Up of the Agamemnon is a 1870 etching by Francis Seymour Haden, rendered in dark brown on copper.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a large ship being dismantled in a harbor, surrounded by smaller boats, with other vessels and shoreline buildings in the background. The scene conveys a sense of activity and movement, capturing the realism of an everyday maritime scene.

Technique & Style

The dark brown etching technique used by Haden creates a sense of depth and texture, while the cloudy sky and choppy water add to the overall feeling of dynamism. The work exemplifies the Realism movement's focus on depicting everyday life in a realistic manner.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.