Half Model of a 68-Gun Ship of the Line c. 1797 - 1798

Editor: This is the "Half Model of a 68-Gun Ship of the Line," dating from around 1797 or 1798. It's made of wood and strikes me as incredibly detailed and precise. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: What I find compelling is how this object straddles the line between art, engineering, and imperial power. This isn't just a decorative object; it's a tool, a plan made manifest. Consider the late 18th century—maritime power was directly linked to colonial expansion, to the brutal realities of the transatlantic slave trade, and to wars waged for resources and dominance. Doesn't this model, with all its intricate detail, represent the machinery of that power? Editor: That's a darker interpretation than I had initially considered. I was mostly thinking about the craftsmanship involved. Curator: Absolutely, the craftsmanship is undeniable! But we can’t separate that skill from the purposes it served. This ship, once built, would have been a weapon, a tool of commerce, and a symbol of national ambition. Think about the people whose lives would be impacted by its voyages - the enslaved, the indigenous populations, the sailors themselves. This model becomes a potent symbol of the intertwined narratives of progress and oppression. What do you think about its silence? Editor: Silence? Curator: Yes, the object doesn't *tell* you about the violence, displacement, or labor that makes it exist; those narratives are erased from its surface. In what ways do you believe those issues shape our perception of the piece, despite not being obviously represented in the model itself? Editor: I see your point. It does make me think about whose stories are told and whose are left out of history. Thanks, that's given me a lot to consider. Curator: And for me as well; looking closer at this model reminds me to challenge what it represents in my mind.