Schroefstoomschip Mariout et Hedjaz varend op zee 1847 - 1874

Johan Conrad Greive created this print of the screw steamer Mariout et Hedjaz sailing at sea. While undated, the work offers insight into the era of global maritime expansion. The Mariout et Hedjaz, owned by the Egyptian government, symbolizes the complex interplay between technology, trade, and power during the 19th century. Steamships facilitated increased trade and colonial expansion, impacting diverse societies and cultures. Consider the artist's position as a recorder of this progress, and whose perspectives are often missing from these representations. Who built and crewed this ship? How were they impacted by global trade and colonial power? Such images present an opportunity to reflect on the broader social, economic, and political implications of maritime technology. They encourage us to consider both the triumphs and the shadows of a globalizing world.