Last updated on November 11, 2023
Reading Time: 2 minutesIn the vast panorama of the Titanic tragedy, William McMaster Murdoch emerges as an undisputed protagonist. Images of this first officer of the famous ship, immortalized in old photographs, are a window opening to the past, capturing the details of his face, sometimes adorned with distinctive mustaches and at other times clean-shaven.
The Eternal Expression of William Murdoch
The decision to embark on the reworking of a historical photograph, according to Gregorj Cocco, is a nuanced process that finds its starting point in the timeless expression etched on the subject’s face. Engulfed in the analysis of this old image of Murdoch, the artist confronts the unexplored depth of his gaze and the richness of meaning embedded in the expressiveness of his eyes.
Contemplating every fold, every play of light and shadow dancing around Murdoch’s image becomes a journey through time, an investigation that goes beyond mere photographic documentation. In this intricate process of reinterpretation, every crease in the face tells a story, every gaze unveils layers of emotions that withstand the ravages of time. Cocco’s choice to delve into the soul of the image, to dig into the intensity of those eyes, reflects his commitment to capturing not only the external reality of the subject but also its immortal essence that transcends the moment captured by the lens.
From Past to Present: Colorful Reworking
In the original photo dated June 9, 1911, Murdoch is portrayed as a lieutenant on the White Star ship “Olympic.” Cocco’s reworking, now in vivid photorealistic colors, shows Murdoch’s torso in uniform, his gaze not directed at the camera but upwards and to the right of the photographer.
The intense expression in Murdoch’s eyes guided the restoration process. Recounting the crucial hours of April 14, 1912, when the ship struck the iceberg, he is the one desperately trying to avoid it, giving orders and frantically attempting to save human lives.
The processing journey, from a black-and-white photo to a HD digital color one, involved cleaning imperfections, managing lights and shadows, and paying precise attention to anatomical details of the face.
Final Glance of William McMaster Murdoch
William McMaster Murdoch, who died at the age of 39 during the Titanic disaster, left behind many uncertainties. The exact circumstances of his death remain obscure. After the lifeboats were exhausted, it is speculated that Murdoch may have thrown himself into the sea with a life jacket. However, rumors of his possible suicide have fueled the mystery.
Cocco’s reworking offers an immersive look into this chapter of history, illuminating the face of a man who faced uncertainty with courage but whose actions and fate remain shrouded in the mystery of the deep ocean.
