Gezicht op de Delagoabaai vanaf Zuid-Afrika 1901

This stereoscopic image of Gezicht op de Delagoabaai, was made by Underwood & Underwood. It offers two slightly different perspectives of the same scene, merging into a single, three-dimensional view through a stereoscope. Look closely, and you can almost feel the sea breeze. The image is made up of subtle gradations, a result of the photographic process itself. The scene is a mix of calm and activity. A small boat rows towards us, while larger ships sit further back. It feels like a record of a specific moment, but also a timeless scene of maritime life. I love how the surface of the water is captured, almost blurring into abstraction. The tones in this image remind me a bit of Gerhard Richter's seascapes, but with a historical twist. Like Richter, Underwood & Underwood embrace the ambiguity inherent in representation. Is this about travel, or history, or something else? It's up to us to decide.