Sea at Night 1865

Anton Melbye painted this “Sea at Night” in the 19th century, a period of immense change marked by colonialism, industrialization, and the rise of nationalism. The painting captures a night scene at sea, with a rowing boat carrying several figures in the foreground and larger ships in the background, all under a dramatic sky. Maritime painting was a popular genre at the time, which can be understood in relation to cultural, economic and military factors. The sea was often associated with adventure, trade, and naval power, all central to the interests of European nations during this era. In art institutions like the Hermitage Museum, images of naval exploits served as cultural capital for countries seeking to legitimize power through military might. As viewers, we can investigate naval history and the art market to understand the relationship between artistic representation and social structures. What was the intended audience of the image? What function did it have within the Russian Imperial collection?