Werknemers die modellen maken in de machinefabriek van Gebroeders Stork & Co before 1894

This black and white photograph captures workers crafting models in the machine factory of Gebroeders Stork & Co. The linear composition guides our gaze from the windows towards the focused activity within the factory, but it is the arrangement of the workers that draws my attention. They are hunched over their work. This recalls images of medieval monks illuminated manuscripts with great intent. In ancient Roman art, the gesture of bending over one's work often symbolized diligence and dedication. However, within the context of industrialization, it could signify the subjugation of labor. The bent posture reflects not only physical strain but also a psychological submission to the demands of industry. We witness a continuous cycle, where humans create machines, which in turn reshape human lives, bending our forms and spirits to new rhythms of existence. These motifs echo through time, reappearing in various guises, shaped by the ever-changing dynamics of progress and human experience.