The S. S. Touraine of the French Line at Sea 1891

Antonio Jacobsen rendered *The S. S. Touraine of the French Line at Sea* with oil paint on canvas. Jacobsen’s specialization was maritime portraiture; here, the ship is painted with incredible detail, its dark hull cutting through the water, smoke billowing from its stacks. The materiality of this image is intriguing. Oil paint has traditionally been used for ‘fine art,’ yet here it’s deployed for the purpose of technical illustration. Jacobsen seems to have been contracted by shipping companies, who sold these paintings as souvenirs. The precise detailing would have been highly appealing, celebrating the achievement of modern industrial production. Yet the painting also reminds us of labor, of the many individuals who produced the Touraine, and of the sailors and workers who kept it running. Perhaps by recognizing the close observation and steady hand Jacobsen brought to this image, we can acknowledge their contribution too. The next time you see a ship, remember: it is a floating world of work.