Making the Splice between the Shore End and the Ocean Cable
The Met
Artist: Robert Charles Dudley(British, 1826–1909)
Date: ca. 1866
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 22 3/4 x 33 1/4 in. (57.8 x 84.5 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Cyrus W. Field, 1892
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Crowded ship deck with men, tall masts, smokestacks emitting smoke, and a cloudy sky
Detailed Description
A bustling scene unfolds on the deck of a large ship, rendered in black and white. The wooden deck, with visible planks, occupies the lower half of the image and extends into the distance. Numerous men, dressed in dark work clothes and various hats, are scattered across the deck, engaged in different activities. In the foreground, a man kneels, facing away, while another stands nearby, holding a long pole. To the left, a group of men are gathered, with one seated on a large coiled rope or object, and another standing above him, holding onto a rope that extends upwards. Further back on the deck, more figures are visible, some standing in groups, others individually. Tall, dark masts with intricate rigging rise vertically, dominating the upper portion of the image. Between the masts, two prominent, dark smokestacks emit plumes of light-colored smoke that blend into the cloudy sky. Sails, some furled and some partially unfurled, are visible among the complex network of ropes and spars. In the far background, a raised walkway or deck shows additional small figures. The sky is light and overcast, with a few small birds visible on the left side.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
