Gezicht op de scheepswerf van Chatham 1775

Pierre Charles Canot created this print of the Royal Dockyard at Chatham in the 18th century, a period of significant maritime expansion and naval power for Britain. This image presents an ordered view of the bustling shipyard, yet it invites us to consider the lives of the workers, many of whom would have lived in poverty. The grandeur of the ships being built contrasts sharply with the conditions of laborers who built them, reflecting the disparities of wealth and power in the era. The ships symbolize Britain’s global reach, facilitated by the exploitation of resources and people in colonized lands. Canot's print not only documents a moment in British history but also provokes contemplation of the complex social and economic structures upon which empires are built. It reminds us to consider the human cost of progress and the stories of those often rendered invisible in grand narratives.