Half Model of the Stern of a Screw Steamer c. 1854 - 1855

This half model of the stern of a screw steamer was made in Amsterdam at the Rijkswerf, or state shipyard, and is constructed from wood. Shipyards would often produce these models as a means of design and construction. The model uses the natural qualities of the wood to represent the ship. The linear grain illustrates the structural integrity of a ship, and the smooth surface conveys the hydrodynamic engineering involved in its construction. It was made using the skilled traditions of shipbuilding, which requires an understanding of mathematics, material science, and craft. The ship's parts are all carefully constructed and assembled, but the model is only half of the ship’s stern. This allows the viewer to see how the ship was constructed, with each planking carefully fitted into place. The construction of ships like these was not just about technical prowess; it was also about labor, politics, and consumption. These vessels were essential for trade, naval power, and the expansion of empires. This model reminds us that even seemingly technical objects are deeply embedded in social and historical contexts.