Figurehead from "Bartholomew Gosnold" 1935 - 1942

This is a drawing of the Figurehead from the "Bartholomew Gosnold," created by an anonymous artist. Considered as a symbol of power, figureheads were placed at the front of ships and were thought to protect the crew from the dangers of their journey. In an era defined by exploration and colonialism, the ship itself becomes a symbol of cultural exchange and conflict. The ship's figurehead serves as a bold statement of national identity. This bust presents a hyper-masculine, white, Western image of power. The figurehead stands as a silent witness to the exchange of goods and ideas, but also to the exploitation and erasure of indigenous populations. It represents the complex and contradictory nature of maritime history, of both adventure and oppression. This image invites us to reflect on the stories of those who were both empowered and marginalized by maritime history.