Model of a submarine 1835 - 1840

0:00

metal, sculpture

ship

metal

sculpture

geometric

sculpture

Dimensions: height 52 cm, height 39.4 cm, length 80.7 cm, width 28.3 cm

This is Antoine Lipkens's scale model of a submarine, meticulously crafted from copper and brass. These materials were not just aesthetic choices, but crucial to the function of the real thing. Copper's malleability made it ideal for shaping the hull, while brass offered the necessary strength for fittings and moving parts. Look closely, and you can see the marks of the maker's tools, each telling a story of labor and precision. The smooth, riveted hull speaks to the skilled metalworking techniques of the 19th century. Copper was a valuable material, so this isn't just a model, but a statement of ambition. This submarine represents a moment when craft, design, and engineering converged. It challenges our notions of 'art', asking us to consider the ingenuity and expertise embedded in functional objects. This was not just a feat of engineering, but a testament to human innovation.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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The 19th century was full of experiments to create underwater vessels. Antoine Lipkens worked on developing a Dutch submarine. From his extensive studies, and trials by Uhlenbeck, this model was made. It incorporates several improvements, such as a centrifugal pump for propulsion. Due to a lack of financing, a full-size version of this model was never built. The first operational submarine entered service in the Royal Netherlands Navy only seventy years later.