What you are looking at
In Havana harbor, a shark attacks a naked boy in the water while men in a rowboat reach for him and one stands ready with a harpoon.
Why it is famous
It shows a real event: in 1749, fourteen-year-old Brook Watson was attacked while swimming and lost part of his leg. Watson later became Lord Mayor of London. Copley painted it in 1778, and two other versions are in Boston and Detroit.
How big is Watson and the Shark?
Watson and the Shark measures 182.1 × 229.7 cm (71.7 × 90.4 in), without its frame. Its surface is about 10 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
The 1778 painting is at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, which is free.
Museums move and lend paintings. Check the museum's website before you travel to see one work. See all famous paintings in Washington, DC.
Also at the National Gallery of Art
Frequently asked questions
Who painted Watson and the Shark?
John Singleton Copley painted Watson and the Shark in 1778.
Where is Watson and the Shark?
Watson and the Shark is in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, United States. (West Building, Main Floor, Gallery 60B.)
How big is Watson and the Shark?
182.1 × 229.7 cm (71.7 × 90.4 in). Its surface is about 10 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is Watson and the Shark made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: National Gallery of Art, Watson and the Shark (1963.6.1), open data; Wikidata Q1787460; Wikipedia, "Watson and the Shark". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.