Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a British engineer who constructed a number of innovative civil and railway engineering projects. In 1853 he began construction of the SS Great Eastern, which would be six times larger than any other ship ever constructed. With the vessel measuring 692 feet in length and 22,500 long tons in weight it proved difficult to launch. The Illustrated Times wanted to illustrate its coverage of the launch with engravings. Robert Howlett was commissioned to attend the launch and take suitable photographs. He took six of Brunel, three portraits of him alone and three of him among a group of other men.
About Isambard Kingdom Brunel Standing Before the Launching Chains of the Great Eastern in brief
Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a British engineer who constructed a number of innovative civil and railway engineering projects. In 1853 he began construction of the SS Great Eastern, which would be six times larger than any other ship ever constructed. With the vessel measuring 692 feet in length and 22,500 long tons in weight it proved difficult to launch. The Illustrated Times wanted to illustrate its coverage of the launch with engravings. Robert Howlett was commissioned to attend the launch and take suitable photographs. He took six of Brunel, three portraits of him alone and three of him among a group of other men. One of the group photographs has Brunel stood near to one of the checking drums which held long lengths of large chain used to restrain the ship as it was lowered down the ramp.
In his most famous version of the photograph Brunel is stood in a casual pose, looking out of shot with his hands in his trouser pockets. He is smoking a cigar and is wearing his cigar case, slung by a strap across his shoulder, without which he rarely appeared in public. The image has become iconic of the industrial era and the 19th century and has been included in many published collections of photographs. It was widely reproduced at the time of the ship’s eventual launch in January 1858 and again after Brunel’s death in 1859. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York holds a copy of the photo. They note that his muddied clothing reflects his willingness to get involved with the works on site and that his pose conveys a sense of self-assurance and determination.
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