Deck of Great Eastern, Aft: the Paying-out Machinery 1866

"Deck of Great Eastern, Aft: the Paying-out Machinery" is a watercolor painting by Robert Charles Dudley, depicting the aft deck of the Great Eastern, a British steamship that was the largest ship ever built at the time. This artwork, created in 1866, showcases the impressive machinery used for laying the transatlantic telegraph cable. The scene features workers and engineers operating complex machinery against a backdrop of a clear sky. The painting captures the detail and functionality of the ship's engineering marvel, highlighting the technological advancement of the 19th century. The painting is currently part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.