Zeegezicht met zeilschepen before 1896

Victor Selb created this monochromatic photograph, Zeegezicht met zeilschepen, capturing sailing ships on the water. Selb, who lived through a transformative period marked by industrial growth and social change, presents here a seemingly straightforward maritime scene. However, consider the cultural context of maritime photography during this period. Seascapes often embodied more than just the love of the sea. They were powerful symbols of trade, exploration, and colonial expansion. These ships, caught in transit, may represent the movement of goods, people, and ideas across borders, embodying both opportunity and exploitation. How does Selb, a man living in a society shaped by these dynamics, contribute to or challenge these narratives? The photograph invites you to reflect on the complex relationship between humanity and the sea, and between societies connected by the currents of commerce and history.