The artwork titled “Study for The Siege of Gibraltar, Figures Scaling Floating Battery Cannon,” created by John Singleton Copley between 1785 and 1786, belongs to the Neoclassicism art movement. This sketch and study, measuring 33.7 x 44.5 cm, captures a preparatory scene for a larger work, illustrating the figures engaged in the strenuous act of scaling a cannon mounted on a floating battery during the historic Siege of Gibraltar.
In the artwork, two figures are depicted in the midst of a dynamic and intense moment, displaying the effort and struggle involved in their task. Rendered in a sketch style, the figures are seen climbing with determination, their forms outlined with deliberate and strong lines. The grid overlay suggests it was a preliminary study intended to assist in the accurate placement and proportion of elements within a larger composition. The anatomy and positioning of the figures convey a sense of movement and urgency, highlighting the artist’s attention to detail and his skill in capturing human action and emotion.
