Model of the Bed of a 20-cm Sea Service Mortar on a Pivoting Undercarriage 1855

This "Model of the Bed of a 20-cm Sea Service Mortar on a Pivoting Undercarriage," was made by Rijkswerf Amsterdam. Its symmetrical layout and warm wooden and brass textures give the piece a sturdy, tactile quality. The linear arrangement of wooden slats and the circular brass fittings create a rhythmic interplay of forms, evoking a sense of structured precision. The artwork's formal elements—its precise geometry, use of scale, and material contrast—invite a structuralist reading. The parts signify components within a larger system, hinting at the complex mechanics of naval artillery. Each shape and material choice communicates specific information, akin to a semiotic system of signs. Consider how the model challenges established meanings, playing with scale to destabilize fixed notions of power and representation. The formal arrangement isn't merely aesthetic; it's a representation of functional design within a specific technological and historical context. This model invites continuous interpretation.