Nieuwe uitvindingen 1861 - 1929

This lithograph, made by Albertus Willem Sijthoff, presents a visual guide to "New Inventions" – specifically, the locomotive and tender. It reflects the 19th-century Dutch fascination with technological progress and its potential to benefit society. The image showcases not just the train, but also the figures essential to its operation: the conductor, the station guard, and the station itself in The Hague. This points to a broader understanding of technology as embedded within social systems and labour relations. What's more, the print is part of a series entitled "Prints for the Benefit of the Public,". It suggests that this artwork served an educational function, aiming to familiarize the public with the modern world and its promises of progress. To fully appreciate Sijthoff's lithograph, we can consult archives, period publications, and railway company records. By analyzing the visual codes and historical context, we discover how art shapes our understanding of technology and its impact on society.