De stoomwalvis van Kessels, 1830-1831 1830 - 1831

This print was made anonymously around 1830, using the techniques of etching and hand-coloring. A fantastical depiction of a ‘steam whale,’ it shows the fusion of organic form and industrial prowess. Look at the steam-belching chimney stack, which rises from the whale’s back, contrasting with the skeletal ribcage that supports the soldiers on deck. This is no ordinary whale; it’s a war machine, complete with cannons firing from its mouth. The application of color brings this scene to life, with the bright yellow of the whale’s frame set against the blue uniforms of the soldiers. The print is a clear commentary on the industrial revolution and its impact on warfare. The labor of the soldiers is literally contained within the belly of the beast. It questions the cost of progress, and the blurring lines between technology, nature, and human life. It reminds us that even the most whimsical images can carry serious social and political weight.