Interieur van een smederij in Fourchambault 1840

Jules-Robert-Pierre-Joseph Challamel created this print of the interior of a forge in Fourchambault, France, sometime between 1813 and 1863. Challamel captures a pivotal moment in the Industrial Revolution, a period of immense social and economic change. This print offers a glimpse into the lives of the working class, whose labor fueled industrial progress. The workers are shown in the midst of their labor. We see the physical demands of their work, and the conditions they worked in. The depiction prompts us to reflect on the disparities of wealth and power inherent in industrial society. Where some reaped the rewards, others were left behind. Challamel’s work is a sober reminder of how progress often comes at a human cost. The print invites us to consider the legacy of industrialization and the ongoing struggle for social and economic justice.