Voorsteven en boegbeeld van een zeilschip met 50 kanonnen 1799 - 1800

Joseph Coiny created this print of the bow and figurehead of a 50-cannon sailing ship sometime before his death in 1829. At this time France, like other European powers, relied on naval dominance for trade, colonization, and warfare. The ship's bow embodies power and prestige. Note the cannon, a symbol of military might, protruding above the ornate figurehead. This sculpture, featuring classical figures and an avian form, speaks to the cultural values and artistic traditions of the time. But, it also speaks to how people from different classes and countries became part of this cultural and economic dominance through forced labor and war. As you consider Coiny's print, think about the complex histories it represents. How do images of maritime power shape our understanding of exploration, conflict, and cultural exchange? This print, while seemingly a straightforward depiction, invites us to reflect on the deeper narratives of ambition and exploitation woven into the age of sail.