Stoomlocomotief 1870

George Gardner Rockwood created this photograph of a ‘Stoomlocomotief,’ or steam train, during a time of enormous industrial expansion and technological advancement. In this sepia-toned image, the train is depicted in stark detail. The locomotive represents not only progress, but also the immense human labor and the environmental cost of industrialization. This photograph was captured during an era in which the construction of railroads transformed landscapes and economies, reflecting a period of both excitement and exploitation. Rockwood, through his lens, invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between technological progress and its impact on society. How does this early image of industrialization evoke feelings of hope, anxiety, or perhaps a sense of loss for a world before such rapid change? As we consider the train’s journey, we might also reflect on our own paths and how they intersect with the ongoing story of progress and its consequences.