John Singleton Copley’s Watson and the Shark.

Apparently at the MFA here in Boston, though I’ll admit I haven’t seen it.

some background on the events depicted in the painting by way of wikipedia. 

The painting is based on an attack that took place in Havana harbour in 1749. Brook Watson was a 14-year-old orphan serving as a crew member on his uncle’s trading ship. While swimming alone, he suffered two attacks by a single shark. On its first attack, the shark bit off a chunk of flesh from Watson’s right leg below the calf; on the second attack, it removed his foot at the ankle. The crew of a small boat, which had been waiting to escort their captain to shore, fought off the shark and rescued Watson. His leg was amputated below the knee, but he went on to live a full life, including a term as Lord Mayor of London. This is the earliest attack by a shark on a human to be fully documented.

The article goes on to say that Watson was friendly with Copley and had the painting commissioned.
“John, did I ever tell you about how I’m missing my leg?”
“Yes Watson, only every time you get a bit of wine in you.”
“I want you to paint that shit. It’s epic. Way better than some boring portrait of a silversmith.”