Gezicht op Greenwich Hospital aan de rivier de Theems te Greenwich 1751

Robert Sayer created this print of the Greenwich Hospital on the River Thames in the 18th century. At the time, Great Britain was a major naval power, deeply engaged in maritime trade and colonial expansion. The Thames was the central artery of this activity. Greenwich Hospital, prominently featured, served as a home for retired and injured sailors. These institutions offered care, but also symbolized the human cost of imperial ambition. Consider the social hierarchy inherent in this scene. The grand architecture of the hospital stands in contrast to the labor and sacrifice of the sailors who were its inhabitants. We might reflect on the complex interplay between national pride, military power, and social welfare during this era. What emotions does this scene evoke in you?