Zeilschip in het Bassin Vauban te Le Havre 1862 - 1876

Jean Andrieu produced this stereoscopic photograph of a sailing ship in Le Havre using the wet collodion process. The image allows us to explore the transformation of French port cities in the 19th century. Andrieu's photograph captures not just a ship, but the infrastructure of maritime trade. The complex rigging and the design of the bridge reflect the technological advancements driving global commerce. France’s colonial ambitions relied on these ports, making them vital nodes in a network of exchange and exploitation. This photograph might seem like a straightforward depiction of industry, but it also hints at the complex social and economic structures that enabled such maritime activity. To fully understand this image, we would need to delve into archives detailing Le Havre's economic history, its role in colonial trade, and the development of maritime technologies. Only then can we appreciate the full significance of Andrieu's photograph as a document of its time.