Sea Battle at the Bay of Patrae 1874

Ioannis Altamouras painted this scene of the Sea Battle at the Bay of Patrae with oil on canvas, sometime in the 19th century. Look closely, and you’ll see how the light filters through the rigging of these tall ships, illuminating both the individual vessels and the broader theater of naval engagement. The artist really knew his way around a brushstroke. But let’s also consider the materiality of those ships themselves. Built of wood, rope, and sailcloth, these were complex machines, requiring immense labor to assemble and maintain. The work involved in creating and operating these ships is not immediately apparent, but it’s undeniably present. A ship like this was the pride of an empire, and a floating engine of resource extraction and territorial claim. So while Altamouras’s deft brushwork is certainly impressive, don’t let it distract you from the broader economic and social context that made this dramatic scene possible. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we gain a more complete understanding of this artwork, and of the complex world it represents.