Haven van Odessa 1843 - 1876

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print of the Haven van Odessa using lithography. The fine lines and details you see are a result of this process. Lithography involves drawing an image with a greasy substance on a flat stone or metal plate. The surface is then treated so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas, allowing the image to be printed. The process enabled Last to achieve a high level of detail, from the individual buildings to the rigging of the ships. The print captures Odessa as a bustling hub of maritime activity. The ships, rendered with such care, speak to the global networks of trade and exchange that defined the era. The lithographic technique, with its capacity for replication, was crucial to disseminating such images, fueling both commerce and colonial ambitions. By focusing on the materiality of this print, and the means of its production, we can better understand its role in shaping perceptions of Odessa as a vital port city.