Inname van Carthagena door admiraal Vernon 1741

Editor: So, here we have a bronze relief from 1741, "Inname van Carthagena door admiraal Vernon," or "The Capture of Cartagena by Admiral Vernon," by Edward Pinchbeck. It feels quite... boastful, in a way. The Admiral, a bit of a puffed-up figure, stands triumphantly amidst cannons and ships. What do you make of this celebratory piece? Curator: Boastful indeed! It reminds me of those old travel posters, all sunshine and exotic destinations…except this one’s celebrating conquest, rather brutally. This isn't just metal; it's propaganda cast in bronze! Consider the tiny, besieged cityscape in the background versus Vernon, large and in charge in the foreground, daring us to doubt his… bravado. It's quite a one-sided view of history, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Absolutely. The composition seems to be heavily focused on the admiral as the sole reason for victory, not a team effort or any sort of collaboration. I am curious, what kind of statement was Edward Pinchbeck trying to make by creating this medal? Curator: I imagine he's aiming to cement Vernon's legacy and likely get in the good graces of those in power, not an uncommon practice then, and frankly, now! But there’s a dark undercurrent, isn't there? Glorifying a military action… who’s really winning here? Or losing? Editor: You are right. While at first glance this piece gives off a patriotic feeling, digging deeper exposes it to be propaganda meant to celebrate one man’s legacy by covering up any less admirable feats from his past. Looking at the metal used to create this piece shows the lengths Pinchbeck was willing to go to paint Vernon in the most glorified way possible. Curator: Precisely! I find this really underscores how art isn't a neutral mirror reflecting reality. Instead, it can be quite an instrument used for shaping or, dare I say, bending the narrative. Something we have to remember even today, right? Editor: Right! Now, I will definitely view all forms of art and their context in a completely different light.