The National Maritime Museum in London will host a new exhibition titled “Pirates” from March 29th, 2025, to January 4th, 2026. This exhibition will challenge the romanticized image of pirates, exploring the often-brutal realities of their lives beyond the popularized tales of adventure and treasure. It will delve into the historical context of piracy, examining its impact on global trade and maritime history, according to Seanews.
Exploring the Global History of Piracy
This upcoming exhibition will delve into the global history of piracy, encompassing regions like the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Barbary Coast. It will explore how piracy has been depicted in various forms of media, from early literature to contemporary film and fashion.
The “Pirate Image” in Popular Culture
The exhibition will examine the enduring fascination with pirates in popular culture. Figures like Captain Hook, Long John Silver, and Captain Jack Sparrow have shaped our perception of pirates, often drawing inspiration from “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson. The exhibition will feature a selection of illustrations from the popular children’s cartoon series “Captain Pugwash,” showcasing how these iconic pirate tropes have been perpetuated in popular culture.
The exhibition will feature a diverse collection of items, including the costume worn by Orlando Bloom in “Pirates of the Caribbean” and a Vivienne Westwood ensemble from the 1980s, reflecting the impact of piracy on fashion.
The exhibition will delve into the “Golden Age of Piracy” (1680s-1720s), drawing heavily from Captain Charles Johnson’s “A General History of the Pyrates.” This influential book, though likely written by newspaper printer Nathaniel Mist, shaped popular perceptions of pirates across Europe. The exhibition will showcase how illustrations in different editions of this book evolved over time, becoming more elaborate and theatrical to appeal to the public.
The National Maritime Museum’s extensive collection of “A General History of the Pyrates,” acquired thanks to the efforts of Philip Gosse, will serve as a key resource for this section of the exhibition.
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Source: Seanews
