Fabriek 1886

This photograph by Kassian Céphas captures a factory, its tall chimney a stark symbol against the skyline. Smoke billows upwards, echoing the Tower of Babel—a timeless motif of human ambition and the pursuit of progress. The factory itself, with its rhythmic series of arches, recalls classical Roman aqueducts. Yet, here, the life-giving water is replaced by the promise of industry. Consider the psychological impact of such a structure; the drive to create, to build, is deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, a powerful force that can both uplift and overshadow. Across cultures, the act of building resonates, from the pyramids of Egypt to the cathedrals of Europe. The factory chimney, in its own way, becomes a modern obelisk—a testament to the human spirit's restless striving, a cycle that continues to shape our world.