Eddystone Lighthouse, engraved by W.B. Cooke 1836

Curator: Here we have Clarkson Stanfield's "Eddystone Lighthouse," engraved by W.B. Cooke. It resides in the Tate Collections. Editor: The scene is dramatic; the sea appears quite turbulent and a ship seems to be in distress. Curator: Indeed. Stanfield's maritime scenes often evoke the sublime terror of nature. The lighthouse stands as a beacon of colonial ambition and technological advancement against the overwhelming power of the sea. Editor: The engraving captures a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, the lines of the waves create a rhythmic pattern, which contrasts with the solid verticality of the lighthouse. Curator: The image speaks to the human struggle against the natural world, particularly in the context of maritime trade and empire, where the sea was both a resource and a threat. Editor: It’s a striking visual representation of the precariousness of human endeavor when confronted with nature's raw force.