At Sea c. 1883

Editor: This is "At Sea," a print made around 1883 by Elbridge Kingsley. It's a powerful image, all churning waves and a stormy sky with just a tiny boat battling the elements. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The enduring symbol of humanity versus nature leaps to mind, doesn’t it? Think of the romanticism associated with the sea - journeys, both literal and metaphorical, risk, the unknown. But here, the visual weight tilts drastically in favor of the ocean. Editor: That makes sense. The sheer scale of the water really dwarfs the boat. Curator: Exactly. And that diminutive scale activates the viewer’s emotions, triggering empathy, fear, even awe at the ocean’s power. Are we not always, in some sense, 'at sea?' Existing precariously? What memories or emotions does the symbol of the ocean evoke for you, personally? Editor: I guess a bit of anxiety, honestly. It's beautiful but overwhelming. All that potential...and threat. Curator: Indeed. And culturally, the ocean can signify purification, the unconscious, a boundless source of life. Artists often return to these archetypes precisely because they resonate across generations. Consider how often a ship in stormy seas shows up in mourning jewelry as well as fine art, always pointing to something similar about what it means to live, mourn, and remember. Editor: That’s fascinating! I hadn't thought about the mourning aspect, but it makes sense given how dangerous sea travel used to be. Curator: The interplay of darkness and light, the fragile boat, they all speak to fundamental aspects of the human condition. Symbols truly weave their way through history. Editor: This makes me appreciate how much more is going on in this seemingly simple image than I initially thought. Thanks for opening my eyes!