Half Model of a 6-Gun Schooner-Brig c. 1845 - 1846

This half model of a 6-Gun Schooner-Brig was made by Rijkswerf Vlissingen. It provides insight into the relationship between the ship and the cultural and historical context in which it was built. The ship is laden with symbolism. It is a vessel of movement, and its form cuts through the waters, echoing the ancient ships navigating the seas to discover new territories. This ship, with its sleek lines and promise of exploration, represents a vessel of both trade and military capability. Consider, for example, the prows of Roman ships adorned with fierce images of deities, the ships of the age of discovery emblazoned with the symbols of empires, and the ghost ship that appears in the collective imagination time and time again. The ship is a complex symbol that triggers profound reactions deeply rooted in our subconscious. The ship embodies the power of human ingenuity and ambition, and also our vulnerability when facing the vastness of the world. The ship is not only a means of transport; it’s a powerful cultural artifact, a testament to our enduring quest for understanding and control over our world.