Spanish Refugees aboard S.S. Sinaia 1939

This is David Seymour's photograph, taken on board the S.S. Sinaia. It captures a poignant moment of Spanish refugees fleeing the ravages of their homeland. Seymour, deeply affected by the human toll of conflict, frames the refugees' exhaustion and despair. The photograph encapsulates the experience of displacement, where individuals are stripped of their homes and identities. The horizontal composition emphasizes the sheer number of people seeking refuge, their bodies sprawled across the deck, a sea of weariness. Gender and class are subtly present. Do the clothes suggest a mix of backgrounds amongst the refugees? What does it mean to be displaced, away from one's home? Seymour doesn't shy away from showing their vulnerability. This image serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and political upheaval. It invites us to consider the personal stories behind mass migrations, and to reflect on our shared humanity.