IJzeren fort op het water met zinkend schip tijdens een slag 1842 - 1876

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print of an iron fort on water with a sinking ship sometime in the 19th century, using etching. It depicts naval warfare, but more interestingly, it speaks to the shift in military technology at the time. The image creates meaning through stark visual contrasts. The sinking ship symbolizes the obsolescence of older naval technology, while the iron fort represents modern advancement. This Dutch artwork reflects a period of intense industrial and military development in Europe. Consider the institutional context: was this commissioned to inspire public confidence in the new technology, or to commemorate military events? By examining documents and publications from the period, we can better understand how the public perceived these technological shifts. The meaning of this image is contingent on the social and institutional context in which it was created and viewed.