Ship under Sail 

N. Artsay made this drawing of a ship under sail sometime between 1780 and 1899. It reflects a period when maritime transport and naval power were central to global trade and imperial expansion. Notice how the ship commands the composition, gliding through the water with its sails full, embodying power and exploration. It is impossible to look at this image and not consider its legacy, both the exchange of goods and ideas, alongside the exploitation and colonization of distant lands. Consider the labor that went into building and operating such a ship. The sailors, often from diverse backgrounds, lived a life of hardship and risk. The ship, therefore, is a vessel of dreams but also a stark reminder of the complex human stories that propelled these journeys. Artsay's depiction invites us to reflect on our relationship to history and the stories we tell about progress and discovery. While the ship may symbolize adventure and opportunity, it's essential to confront the full spectrum of its historical impact.