Half Model of a Monitor c. 1867 - 1869

This wooden half model of a monitor was made at the Rijkswerf Amsterdam. This model connects us to the history of naval engineering and shipbuilding. It's a scaled-down representation, likely used for planning and design, reflecting the Dutch Republic's maritime power and technological advancement. The model is more than a mere object. It embodies the cultural values of precision and innovation of the time. We might ask, how did institutions like the Rijkswerf shape the production and reception of such models? What was the public role of these designs? We could research the Rijkswerf archives, looking at the social and economic factors that influenced shipbuilding during this period. Understanding this model requires that we appreciate its contingent nature, shaped by the cultural and institutional context of its making.