Portret van George Anson 1755

James McArdell created this mezzotint portrait of George Anson during a time when Britain was expanding its colonial power through naval dominance. Anson, a celebrated Admiral, embodies the era's complex relationship with exploration and empire. The print is infused with the visual language of power. Anson is depicted with confidence. His elaborate naval attire and the ship in the background are symbols of British maritime strength. Yet, this image exists within a network of global exchange, reflecting both national pride and colonial ambition. How do we reconcile the undeniable skill involved in this work with its participation in a system of oppression? This portrait invites us to consider the legacy of figures like Anson, and to reflect on how history remembers its heroes. What does it mean to critically engage with images that both celebrate individual achievement and represent a complex historical context?