A Storm 1753

Editor: Here we have "A Storm," a print by the British School, its date is unknown, but it powerfully depicts a ship tossed about in a tumultuous sea. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The storm becomes a potent symbol of the socio-political tempests of the time. Maritime power was intrinsically tied to colonial expansion and the exploitation of resources and people. Editor: So, you're saying the storm isn't just a storm? Curator: Not at all. Consider the vulnerability of the ship amidst the chaos, it mirrors the instability inherent in systems built on inequality and exploitation. It begs the question, who is truly safe during the storm? Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, the print invites us to reflect on the costs of progress and the ever-present threat of systemic collapse.