Second fleet of Japanese warships and transports on their way from Talienwan to Yung-Ching bay before 1899

This monochrome print depicts the "Second fleet of Japanese warships and transports on their way from Talienwan to Yung-Ching bay". It was created by the Ordnance Survey Office. In the late 19th century, Japan's military expansion into Asia placed it in direct conflict with China. This image captures a moment in that history, as Japan sought to assert its dominance over the region. The composition is stark: warships line the horizon, their dark silhouettes underscoring their power. The image, created by a military agency, is not just a document but also a statement of imperial ambition. What does it mean to witness the visual representation of power, knowing the human cost behind it? The ocean, though seemingly still, carries the weight of this history, a silent witness to geopolitical struggles. It invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between visibility, power, and historical memory.