Rijtuig voor ijzerenweg / Voitures pour chemin de fer 1856 - 1900

This print by Glenisson & Zonen depicts a variety of horse-drawn carriages, including an early form of public transport labeled "Omnibus." The image offers a glimpse into a time of significant social change, as industrialization began reshaping daily life. Consider the role of transportation in shaping identity and access. Who had the privilege to travel, and how did these modes of transport influence social interactions? Carriages were not merely vehicles; they were markers of class, status, and access, reflecting the stark realities of a society divided along socioeconomic lines. The "Omnibus" represents an attempt to democratize travel, yet we must ask: who truly benefited from this new mode of transportation? The artist presents not just carriages, but a system of mobility. It speaks volumes about the era's aspirations and inequalities, as these vehicles shaped movement, and movement shaped social experience.