Schepen bij de kust 1787

Edward Hodges created this print of ships by the coast in 1787. It offers a glimpse into the maritime world of the late 18th century, a period defined by exploration, trade, and naval power. Look closely, and you’ll see that these ships are not merely vessels of commerce, but symbols of empire. They were instruments in the vast networks of exchange that moved goods, people, and unfortunately, enslaved individuals across the globe. This print hints at the complex relationships between economic prosperity and human exploitation. Notice the figures on the shore. They seem to be spectators, observers of the maritime drama unfolding before them. What did they make of these ships? Did they dream of distant lands, or did they recognize the darker implications of these voyages? Hodges' work doesn't offer easy answers, but it invites us to consider these questions.