Gezicht op het Engelse deel van de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1885 in Antwerpen before 1885

This is an anonymous engraving depicting the English section of the 1885 World Exhibition in Antwerp. World exhibitions like these were grand celebrations of industrial progress and colonial power. Notice how the English section is showcased here: it's not just about celebrating innovation, but about framing the British Empire as a global force. What’s on display tells us a lot about what England wanted to project: innovation, wealth, and authority. The presence of colonial goods subtly reinforces the narrative of empire and its economic reach. Think about the people who came to this exhibition. For some, it was a chance to marvel at new technologies; for others, it reinforced existing power structures. This image offers a window into the complex relationship between progress, power, and identity in the late 19th century. It’s a celebration, but also a statement about who holds influence in the world.