Ship in a Storm c. 19th century

Editor: We're looking at Turner's "Ship in a Storm," from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a monochromatic piece, all browns and tans. It feels, well, ominous. What do you see in this piece that I might be missing? Curator: Ominous is spot on! Turner was fascinated by the sublime – that overwhelming feeling of awe mixed with terror. I see nature’s raw power dwarfing human ambition. The ship is almost lost, isn't it? A tiny speck against those tumultuous waves. Editor: It really is. I hadn't considered the ship as a symbol of ambition. So, nature wins, then? Curator: Perhaps. Or maybe it is that humans endure, even against impossible odds. What do you think? Maybe it's about resilience, not defeat. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about, thanks!