Groep werknemers in meubelmakerij N.V. Meubelfabriek 1880 - 1910

This photograph, by Emrik & Binger, captures a group of workers in the N.V. Meubelfabriek furniture factory. The image is filled with the tools and products of labor. Here, the tools themselves carry significant weight. Look at the ubiquitous presence of wood. Throughout history, wood has symbolized growth, life, and transformation. The workers are deeply engaged with the raw materials, shaping them with hand tools and machines, which represent the intersection of human skill and technological progress. Their work echoes the ancient themes of creation and the power of human ingenuity to transform nature. Think of the shipwrights of old, whose craft, like that of these furniture makers, was essential for trade and exploration, connecting cultures and economies across vast distances. This image taps into a collective memory, reminding us of the vital role of manual labor in shaping our world.