Brigantijn te water in de haven van Havana 1860

This stereograph depicts a brigantine ship, set in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. Although the artist remains anonymous, the work, made around 1868, opens a window onto a complex moment in Cuban history. During this period, Cuba was still under Spanish colonial rule, heavily reliant on enslaved labor for its sugar plantations. The ship, a symbol of trade and connection, also stands as a silent witness to the forced migration and exploitation that fueled the island's economy. As we look at this scene, we must consider the countless untold stories of those who were brought to Cuba against their will, their labor and lives inextricably linked to the commerce this ship represents. The image offers us an opportunity to reflect on the intersections of colonialism, trade, and human suffering, urging us to remember the human cost behind these historical scenes.