Ossen trekken vissersboot het strand op in Valencia c. 1857 - 1880

This photograph, taken in Valencia by Juan Laurent, shows us a fishing boat being pulled onto the beach. Note the material reality of this scene, as it would have unfolded in life. We see the fishermen in their sturdy clothes, the solid build of the boat, and of course the oxen, with their great muscular power. These animals are yoked to the boat by rope, transferring their force into a laborious haul. Consider too the photographer’s process. Laurent would have used a large format camera, producing a single, unique image. Think of the time, labour, and skill that went into producing it, from mixing the chemicals to patiently waiting for the right light. Ultimately, this photograph is not just an image, but a record of human and animal labor – a reminder of the effort required to wrest a living from the sea. It prompts us to think more deeply about the material basis of our lives.