Pantserschip Hr. Ms. Guinea in de haven van Den Helder 1890 - 1903

This photographic print captures Willem Frederik Boelsums' view of the Pantserschip Hr. Ms. Guinea in the harbor of Den Helder. The sepia tone and the texture of the paper provide an immediate sense of its historical context. More than just a record, this work reflects the transformative power of industrial materials, especially steel. The ship itself stands as a testament to human labor and ingenuity, constructed from raw materials extracted from the earth. The image invites us to consider the social conditions of labor that enabled the creation of such a vessel, from the mining of ore to the skilled craftsmanship of shipbuilders. Boelsums' work blurs the boundaries between documentation and artistry, compelling us to recognize the value of both the materials and the making.