The Navigation Acts [reverse] 1654

Editor: We're looking at "The Navigation Acts [reverse]" a metal engraving by Sebastian Dadler from 1654. It's small, a medal really, but incredibly detailed. I’m struck by how… official it feels, you know? All those rigid ships, the formal lettering. What leaps out at you when you look at it? Curator: Well, first, the ships absolutely dominate, don't they? Towering over those choppy waves, almost daring the viewer to ignore their presence. The engraver’s skill to capture that grandeur in such miniature… it's mind-boggling. But look closer. What's that Latin inscription saying to you, past all the pomp? Editor: Something about universal love and unified spirits, I think? Curator: Exactly! Which creates a strange contrast, doesn’t it? You’ve got this assertive display of naval power alongside this invocation of unity. Almost like a…a politely veiled threat, perhaps? England showing off its sea legs while simultaneously promising amicable trade relations. What do you reckon, were they really seeking love or laying down the law? Editor: Hmmm… good point. It’s almost like PR spin, but carved in metal! So, Dadler wasn't just showing ships; he was crafting a political statement, subtly. Curator: Precisely. Art whispering through power. Think about it, everything makes statements: composition, point of view, details, it's a conversation starter. I find it very appealing, don't you? Editor: Absolutely! I initially saw just ships, but now I see… well, I see the *message* in the metal. Thanks!