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If the tide had receded when King Canute ordered it to (engraving)
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If the tide had receded when King Canute ordered it to (engraving)
8672626 If the tide had receded when King Canute ordered it to (engraving) by Downey, Thomas Edward (1852-1926); Private Collection; (add.info.: "Ifs" in history: if the tide had receded when King Canute ordered it to. Illustration from The Boy's Own Annual (London, 1921-1922).); © Look and Learn
Media ID 38487398
© © Look and Learn / Bridgeman Images
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This engraving by Thomas Edward Downey depicts a whimsical "what if" scenario from history - the moment when King Canute famously commanded the tide to recede. In this humorous illustration, we see King Canute standing on the shore, his hand raised in command as he orders the waves to retreat.
The artist's attention to detail is evident in every aspect of this print, from the intricate patterns on King Canute's robes to the crashing waves in the background. The scene is brought to life with a sense of movement and drama that draws viewers into this alternate reality where nature bends to royal will.
Through this satirical drawing, Downey invites us to consider what might have happened if things had unfolded differently in history. Would King Canute have been able to defy the laws of nature and control even something as powerful as the tides? Or would he have been left standing on the shore, humbled by forces beyond his control?
As we gaze upon this enchanting artwork, we are reminded of both the folly of human arrogance and the enduring power of nature. It serves as a playful yet thought-provoking commentary on our place in the world and our relationship with forces greater than ourselves.
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