Summary Of Lt. Francis Meynell's Painting, Slaves Below Deck

Lt. Francis Meynell’s painting, Slaves Below Deck, reveals how horrendous living on the the ship was for the slaves on the voyage to the Americas. Slaves Below Deck shows the slaves as they are emaciated or starving. The painting gives you an idea of how the slave traders treat the slaves. The slaves are exceedingly scrawny in the painting meaning that they don't get that proper quantity of food. The barrels in the Meynell’s painting shows that the barrels were the only thing to sleep on. It was overloaded at the bottom so I can imagine how uncomfortable it was for them. Space was limited so people slept on the ceiling poles. The light represents hope, it is a symbol that there is still reasons for living. Light is the sign that keeps the slaves