“The sinking of the ‘Cumberland’ by the iron clad ‘Merrimac’, off Newport News Va. March 8th 1862” is an artwork created by Currier and Ives in 1862. The piece is reflective of the Romanticism movement and is categorized as a battle painting. As part of the series which covers the American Civil War, this artwork captures a moment of significant historical conflict.
The artwork depicts a dramatic naval engagement during the American Civil War. The USS Cumberland, an American warship, is seen heavily listing and sinking after an assault by the CSS Virginia, often referred to as the Merrimac, which is an ironclad warship of the Confederate States. The battle takes place off the coast of Newport News, Virginia, a strategic location during the war.
In the foreground, the chaotic scene of the aftermath is illustrated with sailors abandoning the doomed Cumberland, seeking refuge in the choppy waters, as small boats rush to their aid. The Confederate ironclad dominates the central part of the scene, pushing forward through smoke and the debris of its offensive, its iron plating offering a stark contrast to the traditional wooden hull of the Cumberland. The American flag can be seen still flying aboard the sinking ship, signaling a sense of patriotism amidst despair. The forces of nature and human struggle are rendered with a sense of drama and emotion that is typical of Romanticism, as it seeks to capture the intensity of the battle and the human experience within it.
