Skibe og både i stille vejr ved kysten 1840

Anton Melbye made this print, *Skibe og både i stille vejr ved kysten,* or *Ships and boats in calm weather by the coast* using etching, a printmaking technique, sometime in the mid-19th century. Born in Copenhagen, Melbye came from a family of artists and, as a young man, worked as a shipbuilder. This experience deeply influenced his art, leading him to become a renowned marine painter. In his lifetime, the artist witnessed Denmark's maritime prominence and its colonial ties. The print captures a serene coastal scene with various ships and boats, reflecting the maritime activity of the time. Yet, the calm surface belies a complex history of maritime trade, and perhaps, colonial expansion, which were central to Danish identity and economy. We might ask ourselves: who manned these ships? What goods did they carry, and from where? Looking at this seemingly tranquil scene, one can ponder the human stories and global connections embedded in the image of these ships. It allows us to consider Denmark’s place in the world during Melbye's lifetime.