Pirates exhibition explores dark truth behind the legend
A new exhibition at the National Maritime Museum (NMM) is set to cast a new light on pirates, uncovering the myths and revealing the brutal history that often lurks behind the fiction. Opening in March 2025, Pirates will explore how these iconic figures have been depicted throughout history, challenging the popular portrayal as swashbuckling adventurers who bury treasure on sunny, idyllic islands.
While many associate pirates with the Caribbean, the exhibition will highlight piracy from across the globe, including the Barbary sailors off North Africa, the South China Sea, and the Indian Ocean. The focus will be on the “Golden Age” of piracy, spanning the 1680s to the 1720s, and will dive into the fascinating stories of famous figures such as Blackbeard, William Kidd, Anne Bonny, and Mary Read.
The first section of the exhibition, The Pirate Image, will examine into why they continue to captivate our imagination. From comical characters like Captain Pugwash to anti-heroes like Captain Jack Sparrow, they have been depicted in literature, theatre, and film for centuries. The exhibition will explore how these portrayals, many stemming from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, shaped our understanding of pirate life. Visitors will be able to see iconic items, including original illustrations from Captain Pugwash and a costume worn by Orlando Bloom in Pirates of the Caribbean.
Moving on to the Real Pirates section, the exhibition will shed light on the true stories behind some of the most notorious of all. Highlighting Captain Charles Johnson’s influential book A General History of the Pyrates, it will explore how his accounts influenced the popular image of pirates across Europe. The NMM’s vast collection of pirate materials, including a treasure trove of rare books, will offer a unique insight into the real history behind the legends.
The Global Pirates section will bring attention to those from outside the Caribbean, with key exhibits including a flag from the Chinese pirate Shap Ng-tsai and a commemorative silversmith piece depicting the 1816 Bombardment of Algiers, a pivotal event in the fight against Barbary piracy.
This landmark exhibition promises to challenge our perceptions and reveal the darker side of piracy’s enduring allure.
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