[Aphrodita Under Construction] 1855 - 1859

Robert Howlett created this photograph, "Aphrodita Under Construction," using the wet collodion process. The eye is immediately drawn to the skeletal form of the ship, a massive, dark shape propped up by a forest of timber supports. This creates a striking contrast between the organic curve of the vessel and the rigid geometry of its scaffolding, all rendered in sepia tones. Howlett uses sharp focus to emphasize the textures of wood and the complex interplay of lines, highlighting the construction process. The unfinished ship, named after the Greek goddess of love and beauty, suggests a kind of birth, an emergence from raw materials into a structured form. This raw and unfinished state prompts us to consider the ship as a signifier of potential, progress, and the intersection of nature and industry. The photograph's composition invites us to reflect on how meaning is constructed through form, challenging our perception of beauty and functionality. This piece emphasizes that what we see as art is perpetually open to interpretation, shaped by our historical and cultural perspectives.