Boomwagen voor het transport van stukken hout bij een rivier 1828

Victor Adam created this print, "Boomwagen voor het transport van stukken hout bij een rivier," which translates to, "A Waggon for transporting pieces of wood near a river," in the 19th century. During this period, industrialization was intensifying, reshaping labor and landscapes. The print offers a glimpse into the lives of laborers and the process of resource extraction. The scene depicts workers and horses moving timber, a vital resource of the time. Consider what this scene omits, the environmental impact of deforestation, and the back-breaking labor required. Whose stories remain unseen? What impact did the work have on their bodies, and what choices did they have? The lack of romanticism in Adam’s depiction invites us to reflect on the human cost of industry and its impact on both society and the environment. We might think about the historical context of this work as we contemplate our contemporary moment.