Moonlit seascape 1892

Alfred Stevens, a Belgian painter, captured this moonlit seascape with oil on canvas. It is now located here at the National Gallery of Australia. This painting emerges from a time when maritime travel and trade were not just practical realities, but potent symbols of global connection and colonial expansion. The steamboat, cutting through the moonlit waters, embodies this era of industrial progress. However, the painting's beauty belies a more complex history. As we admire the serene scene, it's important to reflect on the countless voyages across the sea, each with its own story of migration, exploitation, and cultural exchange. Stevens invites us to contemplate our relationship with the ocean and the impact of human activity upon it. The painting asks us to consider how we engage with the natural world, both visually and ethically. It’s a moment of reflection, cast in moonlight.