Toekomstvisie op de Hoogstraat in Rotterdam met hooggelegen spoorlijn 1864

Hendrik Frederik Sartor made this lithograph, envisioning Rotterdam's Hoogstraat with an elevated railway. The imposing railway, cutting through the urban fabric, represents modernity's march, a symbol of progress and connectivity. But consider the weight of such a symbol. Elevated structures appear throughout history; from Roman aqueducts to viaducts, each embodies control over the environment. This railway is no different. It's a claim over the landscape, a manifestation of human ambition. Think of the Tower of Babel or Piranesi's Carceri etchings, where architectural grandeur borders on the oppressive. The railway here, like those structures, might evoke a sense of awe, but also anxiety about progress's relentless advance. This dichotomy engages our collective memory, stirring subconscious fears and hopes, making us question the true cost of advancement.