Curatorial Narrative The Explosion of the United States Steam Frigate Missouri by Edward Duncan presents a pivotal moment in the history of marine art, situated at the confluence of realism’s ascendance and the burgeoning industrial era. Painted between 1843 and 1850, this work exemplifies the artist’s linear brushwork, which imbues the composition with a sense of urgency and dynamism. The dark blues and blacks that dominate the palette create an atmosphere of foreboding, while the fiery oranges evoke a sense of chaos and destruction. This tension between opposing visual forces is expertly managed by Duncan, who employs industrial and modern design sensibilities to convey the modernity of the steamship era.When scaled up to 52×44 inches, The Explosion assumes a commanding presence that demands attention in a luxury interior environment. The chromatic structure, anchored by dark blues and blacks, creates an atmospheric weight that dr