Gezicht op de kuststrook van Menton met nabij gelegen plaatsen c. 1886 - 1896

This is an undated photograph of the coast of Menton with nearby places, made by Henry Pauw van Wieldrecht. This image invites us to consider the relationship between landscape, engineering, and identity at the turn of the 20th century. Wieldrecht, who lived between 1863 and 1912, likely created this image during a time when photography was increasingly accessible but still imbued with the power to shape perceptions of place. The bridge becomes a stark marker of human intervention in the natural world, a symbol of progress. The image appears to highlight the tension between the imposing, rugged terrain and the human desire to traverse and tame it. Consider how the framing of the photograph—the bridge positioned between the cliffs—impacts our understanding of the scene. What does it mean to build a bridge, both literally and figuratively, between different spaces and communities?