This art historical tradition gave 18th-century white audiences "something ... Enslaved to Captain Stair Douglas of the Royal Navy and later a member of the Duchess of Queensberry's household ...

Their names are written on a piece of paper on the floor in the painting ... Black trumpeters who were employed by the royal household in the 18th century. In the Tudor period, John Blanke ...

A similar sister painting by Opie, held at the Tate Britain gallery in London, launched his career when it was displayed at London's Royal Academy in 1784. Opie, one of the most important artists ...

The Royal Navy seized the messages during the Seven ... they're not unique to France or the 18th century," he added. "They reveal how we all cope with major life challenges.