Empire to Nation: Art, History and the Visualization of Maritime Britain, 1768–1829, by Geoff Quilley

British visual culture underwent significant transformation during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, shifting away from imperial themes towards a focus on maritime identity. Geoff Quilley's analysis reveals that this transition was influenced by the threat of revolutionary France and is evident in the works of artists associated with Captain James Cook's Pacific expeditions, such as William Hodges and John Webber, as well as in notable paintings like John Singleton Copley's 'Watson and the Shark' and J.M.W. Turner's 'Battle of Trafalgar'. Quilley's thematic exploration, structured around Cook's voyages, the Atlantic world, and naval battles, demonstrates how art reflected Britain's evolving national identity during this period.

Wilson, E. (2014). Empire to Nation: Art, History and the Visualization of Maritime Britain, 1768–1829, by Geoff Quilley. The English Historical Review, 129(541), 1517–1518. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehr/ceu294