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The Pressgang, 1790 (oil on panel)
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The Pressgang, 1790 (oil on panel)
RHC10458 The Pressgang, 1790 (oil on panel) by Morland, George (1763-1804); 35.5x45.7 cm; Royal Holloway, University of London; eRoyal Holloway, University of London; English, out of copyright
Media ID 22811190
© Royal Holloway, University of London / Bridgeman Images
Argument Gang Shackles Labourer
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The Pressgang, 1790
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating oil painting by George Morland that depicts a dramatic scene from British naval history. Measuring 35.5x45.7 cm, this artwork is housed in the prestigious Royal Holloway, University of London. In this intense composition, Morland skillfully captures the chaos and tension surrounding the controversial practice of impressment during the late 18th century. The pressgang was notorious for forcibly recruiting men into the navy to meet its manpower needs. This painting vividly portrays a group of armed pressgang members confronting a defiant sailor and his fellow laborers. The artist's meticulous attention to detail brings every element to life – from the shackles on the captured sailor's wrists to the heated argument between him and one of his captors. The rowdy atmosphere is further accentuated by other figures engaged in physical altercations nearby. Morland's work serves as both an artistic masterpiece and historical documentation of an important aspect of British maritime history. It sheds light on the harsh realities faced by those who were forcefully enlisted into military service against their will. This powerful painting invites viewers to reflect upon themes such as power dynamics, individual resistance, and societal injustice prevalent during that era. "The Pressgang" stands as a testament to Morland's talent for capturing human emotion through brushstrokes while immortalizing significant moments in time.
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