The Breaking Up of the Agamemnon

The Agamemnon, one of the last wooden-hulled warships built in England, served as the flagship in many naval battles and played a role in the laying of the Atlantic telegraph cable in 1857. This etching juxtaposes the majestically rendered ship against a setting sun in order to signify the death of a hero. Haden later repeated the composition in a much larger format to create a striking exhibition piece. This early version, though already reaching for grand sentiment, retains a more modest use of beautifully controlled line arranged in layered planes, from dark to light.