Dimensions: model height 37.3 cm, model width 57.4 cm, model depth 51 cm, packaging capsule height 41 cm, packaging capsule width 56.5 cm, packaging capsule depth 53 cm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This is a wooden model of the stern of an 84-gun ship of the line, made by an anonymous artist. These models were often made in naval dockyards, either as design tools or presentation pieces. The 84-gun ship was a powerful warship, playing a crucial role in naval conflicts. The presence of such a ship reflected Britain's maritime strength, its naval dominance ensuring control over trade routes and colonies. The stern's decoration acted as a display of power, announcing the might and prestige of the nation. The model thus becomes a symbol of a society structured around maritime power. To understand this model fully, we would need to consult naval archives, shipyard records, and perhaps even delve into the personal papers of naval officers. This would allow us to explore the complex relationships between art, power, and the social conditions that shaped naval ambition in Britain.
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