Inspired by Eugène Boudin (1824 – 1898) – Sinking (around 1846 – 1848) – Charcoal / White chalk on buff coloured paper – 9,45 x 12,60 inch

Jack is still a teenager when he embarks on the Black Pearl for the first time. The sea means so much to him. The sea took his father away forever when he was a baby boy who coudn’t walk by himself. also she who took him as he walked. His mother didn’t wish to go with him to the harbour nor wave him goodbye before sailing away through the waves. She respects his decision but that’s where it ends.Jack is the youngest of the crew. He receives a special treat made of all the most degrading chores possible. But the young man holds on. He knows how to go through this, he has learned everything all by himself, against his will.It’s already been a week, and still no fish school. The captain is worried. Last year, in the same period, the bunkers were almost full. They had worked very hard night and day for an awesome result. They will have to sail further and further away towards unchartered waters and seek out towards most likely turmoils. He takes the chance, he has no other choice. His men, his ship, he definitely must take care of it all, but he also is in charge of providing a decent wage.

At the end of the second week, the sky changed completely: the clouds look heavier, darker. Lightning illuminates the fake peace of the horizon by night. The deck-hand on duty on the deck certainly takes the wisest decision of his life by waking up his captain to advise him of the serious bad weatherabout to come. He never gets to finish his explanation. A dull and powerful sound warns them. Up on the deck in no time, closely followed by his boss, he looks on helplessly at the fall of the mast, broken in the middle. The lightning strikes the boat. Within seconds, he raises the alarm while the disoriented ship deals with huge assaults of deadly waves. The crew stands now altogether, at the mercy of Poseidon. The captain orders the launching of the lifeboats instantely. Jack stands by his side, ready to help, just in case. He wants to be the last one to leave the ship. The carcass already capsizes, the rowboats sail away hastily towards the horizon, strongly shaken by the crazy swell.

Jack will never have a next time on the Black Pearl. His salty teardrops catch up the ocean.

(Freely inspired by the film directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales)