The Tapestry Hangings of the House of Lords Representing the Several Engagements Between the English and Spanish Fleets... 1739

John Pine created this engraving, "The Tapestry Hangings of the House of Lords Representing the Several Engagements Between the English and Spanish Fleets...", to commemorate England's naval victories, a powerful symbol of national pride and dominance. During this era, naval power was deeply intertwined with identity, trade, and colonial ambitions. Pine's work, while seemingly a straightforward historical record, subtly reinforces the narrative of English exceptionalism. The detailed depiction of ships and battle formations romanticizes warfare, obscuring its human cost. The portraits of naval commanders framing the central image serve to glorify individual heroism, further solidifying the era's social hierarchies. By presenting a one-sided view of these historical events, Pine's print encourages viewers to embrace a specific national identity rooted in military triumph. But, what does it mean to celebrate victories that were achieved through violence and oppression, and at what cost?