Model of the lighthouse at De Cocksdorp on Texel 1863

This model of the lighthouse at De Cocksdorp on Texel, standing at 138.5 cm tall, was crafted anonymously from wood and metal. Lighthouses are traditionally symbols of guidance, safety, and hope, particularly for sailors navigating treacherous waters. Consider the historical context of maritime culture and trade; in many ways it depended upon the reliability of instruments like these, and yet their construction and maintenance often relied on exploited labor. The facelessness of the artist invites us to reflect on the countless unnamed individuals whose skills and labor contributed to maritime infrastructures. The model, with its simple design and unadorned materials, invites us to contemplate the complexities of visibility and invisibility, and the many unacknowledged hands that shape our world.