Home > Asia > Sri Lanka > Colombo
Poster depicting Colombo, Ceylon
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Poster depicting Colombo, Ceylon
Poster for the Empire Marketing Board, depicting dock workers loading and unloading cargo at Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4434347
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10281579
Cargo Ceylon Colombo Colonialism Conditions Dock Goods Lanka Loading Marketing Turbans Unloading
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Asia
> Related Images
> Asia
> Sri Lanka
> Related Images
> Historic
> Colonial history
> Colonial art and artists
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative poster, produced by the Empire Marketing Board in the 1930s, offers a glimpse into the bustling port of Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), during the height of British colonial rule. The image captures the raw energy and intensity of the dockworkers as they load and unload cargo from ships, with crates and barrels stacked high and spilling out onto the dock. The workers, dressed in turbans and loose clothing, toil under the watchful gaze of their supervisors, their faces etched with determination and focus. The poster's design is both dynamic and historical, with the bold use of color and graphic lines drawing the viewer's eye to the action at the heart of the image. The ships in the background, their sails billowing in the wind, suggest the vast and complex network of trade and transport that connected Asia to the rest of the world during this period. Despite the impressive scale of the operation, the conditions in which the workers labored were often harsh and demanding. Long hours, low wages, and dangerous working conditions were common, making the strength and resilience of the dockworkers all the more remarkable. This poster serves as a powerful reminder of the human stories that lie behind the historical record, and the complex and often fraught relationships between colonial powers and the peoples they ruled.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.