Stoomschip op zee 1893 - 1923

Here is an anonymous image of a steamship at sea. This stereoscopic slide offers us a glimpse into the technological advancements and colonial aspirations of an era. During this period, steamships symbolized progress, connecting distant lands and facilitating trade. The image evokes a sense of both wonder and ambivalence: while steamships like this one represented human ingenuity, they also served as tools of empire, transporting goods, colonizers, and soldiers, often at the expense of indigenous populations and environments. The lack of identifying information about the photographer underscores the complex relationship between visibility and erasure, presence and absence, that defines much of the colonial archive. Consider how the artist's choice to capture this particular subject reflects broader societal values and power dynamics. What stories does it tell, and whose voices remain unheard?