Half Model of a Screw Steamer 1872

This ‘Half Model of a Screw Steamer’ was created by Nederlandsche Stoomboot Maatschappij Fijenoord. The model presents a striking interplay between the dark, sleek upper hull and the warm, curved base. Notice the sharp, horizontal line that divides the composition, creating a clear distinction between the ship's upper and lower sections. The dark upper portion contrasts with the lighter, rounded base. This contrast directs our eye along the ship’s length, emphasizing its streamlined form and evoking a sense of the vessel's movement through water. The wooden pegs punctuate the upper hull, breaking the continuous line and drawing attention to the ship's structural elements. The frame, with its rounded corners, neatly contains the model, further accentuating the ship’s form. The model embodies the formal elements of line, shape, and contrast, offering us insight into the aesthetic considerations that underpin nautical design.