Schip aan steiger 1903 - 1907

This black and white photograph, titled "Schip aan steiger," meaning "Ship at jetty," captures a vessel adorned with flags, taken by an anonymous photographer. In viewing this photograph, one cannot ignore the implied context of trade and colonialism. The ship itself is a symbol of connection and commerce, yet we must also consider the historical implications of such mobility. The flags suggest a place of international exchange, perhaps even colonial expansion, a visual representation of the global power dynamics at play during the time this image was taken. The presence of people, their race and class, and their relationship to the ship, would further inform the story of the photograph. Their gaze, their labor, their very existence is bound to the economic and social structure represented by the ship. This image is more than just a ship at a jetty; it’s a photograph loaded with historical weight, inviting us to reflect on the narratives of exploration, exploitation, and exchange that have shaped our world.