De wyde zee hereent verafgelegen landen; / Elk voert zyn overvloed van d'een naar de andre stranden. / Indien het menschdom zorgt voor d'algemeenen vree, / dan kan men 't oorlogsschip wel missen op de zee 1806 - 1830

Editor: This print from between 1806 and 1830 by Jacob Plügger depicts various ships, meticulously arranged in a grid. There’s a charming, almost childlike quality to the renderings, despite the obviously complex nautical themes. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating blend of commerce, power, and aspiration. The title translates to "The wide sea unites far-lying lands," followed by "If mankind cares for universal peace, then the warship can well be missed at sea". The symbolic weight of ships is multifold here: they are vehicles of connection, but each is categorized by nationhood and trade route, aren't they? They're nationalistic emblems but potentially destabilizing. Editor: Absolutely, I notice the flags on the ships and wonder, if it wasn't for the title and associated verse, if the images themselves promote peace. What do these specific ship types suggest? Curator: These ships, from frigates to schooners, aren't merely transportation; they represent distinct economic and political interests vying for dominance. Their arrangement together, however, and the accompanying text presents an idealistic hope for interconnectedness *without* conquest. Note that this was produced in the early 19th century after years of French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars throughout Europe. There's longing for peace we might otherwise miss. Editor: I see it now. The print feels both informative and idealistic; quite a striking contrast. Curator: Precisely. Plügger's work encapsulates the layered symbolism inherent in maritime imagery: the dream of global harmony intertwined with the realities of national ambition. It is interesting to unpack these loaded images!