Victory of Lord Duncan 1800

Editor: Here we have James Ward's "Victory of Lord Duncan," a print of indeterminate date, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It has a tumultuous feel, with all these figures in the foreground and a battle raging in the background. What stands out to you? Curator: It's interesting how Ward juxtaposes the supposed 'victory' with the visible suffering of the sailors. Consider the sociopolitical context: naval victories were often used to promote nationalistic fervor, masking the brutal realities of war and the exploitation of the working class. Do you see any evidence of that here? Editor: Yes, the injured sailors seem almost an afterthought. What does that say about how war was viewed at the time? Curator: Exactly! It challenges the romanticized narratives of heroism. Who benefits, and at whose expense? Ward's work invites us to critically examine power structures. Editor: This has given me a lot to think about. Thanks for your insight. Curator: My pleasure. I hope it helps connect art history to the world around us.