Battle of the Baltic c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Edward Goodall’s "Battle of the Baltic," a print that depicts a naval battle. The scene is dominated by smoke and chaos, yet feels strangely muted. What do you see in this piece beyond the immediate depiction of warfare? Curator: I see a commentary on the romanticized view of conflict. Consider the Baltic: historically, a site of intense power struggles and colonial ambitions. Goodall, by presenting this "battle" as a delicate print, perhaps critiques the glorification of violence and the erasure of its human cost, especially within the framework of imperial expansion. What does it mean to aestheticize such devastation? Editor: So, it's less about the battle itself and more about how it’s presented and perceived? Curator: Exactly. It invites us to question whose narratives are being amplified and whose are being silenced. The ‘battle’ becomes a stage for examining power, representation, and the ethics of witnessing. Editor: That definitely gives me a new perspective on the piece. Thanks!