Marine, the Cannon Shot 1787 - 1838

Editor: Here we have Johannes Christiaan Schotel's "Marine, the Cannon Shot," dating between 1787 and 1838. It seems to be a drawing, with ink and watercolor, maybe even a print involved. It definitely evokes a feeling of a busy harbor, quite grey and a little ominous with the cannon shot implying a war scene. What strikes you about this work? Curator: I'm particularly interested in the socio-economic underpinnings of this scene. These aren't just pretty boats bobbing in the water. Consider the materiality of the ships themselves: wood sourced, shaped, and assembled; canvas woven for sails; metal forged for cannons. Each component represents a complex web of labor and trade. Who built these vessels? What were their intended uses? What was the political economy supporting these shipbuilding endeavors? Editor: So you’re saying the drawing isn’t just about aesthetics, but the infrastructure behind the image? The resources and workers who made it possible. Curator: Precisely. The "cannon shot" itself—where did the materials come from? What were the working conditions of those producing it? The artwork allows us to think about Dutch maritime power and the resources that underpinned it. Editor: It is interesting to consider the sheer volume of labour and material behind such scene, which also offers a contrast with how 'high art' drawing are frequently assessed, disconnected from actual realities of their production. Curator: Indeed. It prompts us to ask: who profits from these maritime activities? Who bears the risks and consequences? And how does the artistic representation of this scene contribute to a particular narrative about Dutch power and global trade? Considering the processes and people really changes my impression of the drawing. Editor: Absolutely, I see so much more to it now that goes far beyond just appreciating it aesthetically. Curator: Agreed.