Bemanning van de USS Wisconsin op het dek 1901

This photographic stereo card shows the crew of the USS Wisconsin gathered on deck, sometime in the early 20th century. The image is duplicated in the style of a stereograph, designed to create a 3D effect when viewed through a special viewer. I can imagine the photographer carefully arranging the sailors, trying to capture the scale of the ship and the camaraderie of the crew. The sailors themselves are a mix of seriousness and casualness, some looking directly at the camera, others chatting with their mates. I wonder what it was like for them to be part of this floating city, a mix of adventure and routine. The light and shadows create a stark contrast, highlighting the textures of the ship and the faces of the men. It’s like a candid snapshot, but also a carefully constructed scene. Photography, like painting, is all about capturing a moment in time. In both mediums, artists are constantly in conversation with one another, building on the ideas and techniques of those who came before. It's a reminder that all creative work is part of a larger dialogue, a way of seeing and understanding the world around us.