Watermolen en overtoom Possibly 1677 - 1696

Cornelis Meijer created this small engraving of a watermill, a device used for sawing wood, cutting stones, and transporting boats, in the 17th century. Meijer was an engineer, and his work exists at the intersection of art and technology. The image presents a world increasingly shaped by human ingenuity. The focus on infrastructure is telling. Who benefits from these innovations and who is excluded? The people who operate and utilize this watermill are essential to consider. While the print shows the mechanics of the machine, it also hints at the human labor required to operate it, inviting us to think about the complex relationship between technology, labor, and societal progress.