Bovenstoomgemaal Prins Alexander / Kralingscheveer den 18 October 1867 Possibly 1867

Editor: So, this photograph, "Bovenstoomgemaal Prins Alexander," potentially from 1867, by Jacobus van Gorkom Jr., offers such a clear and realist rendering of what looks like a building under construction. The bare wood and bricks against the neutral sky really communicate the hard labour behind such an industrial project. What stands out to you as you look at this work? Curator: This image speaks volumes about 19th-century Dutch society. The construction of the Bovenstoomgemaal, a steam-powered pumping station, symbolizes technological progress and land reclamation efforts in the Netherlands, which is critical to its identity and economy. How does the presence of the workers in the photograph influence your understanding? Editor: Well, seeing them gives a human scale to the endeavor. You get a sense of how much effort went into this infrastructural development. Were such projects points of national pride? Curator: Absolutely. The 19th century witnessed a surge in large-scale engineering feats. Steam power meant ambitious water management. The technology being deployed here represents progress and even a social restructuring; an attempt to reshape the very landscape, making it a tool. Also, note how photography itself plays a role in documenting and celebrating these changes, lending it the feel of an 'official' record. Do you agree that the print feels quite staged? Editor: Now that you mention it, there’s a formality in the composition, suggesting a kind of official record or report. Thanks, I never would have considered how it showcases progress for societal purposes. Curator: Thinking about images like this enriches how we understand progress itself.