Gezicht op de haven van Szczecin 1889 - 1893

This is a photograph titled 'View of the port of Szczecin' by Willem Frederik Piek Jr. It is a fascinating window into a port city, Szczecin, captured through the lens of early photography. Looking at this image, one can't help but consider the socio-economic dynamics at play. The image offers us a glimpse into a world of labor, trade, and transit, all framed within the specific cultural and political context of its time. Piek’s position as a photographer shapes this view, a lens that may emphasize certain elements while obscuring others. How do we reckon with the absence of the human figures who animate the docks? The photograph becomes a meditation on place, labor, and historical context.