Werking van een katrol 1683 - 1733

Bernard Picart created this print, titled 'Werking van een katrol' or 'Operation of a Pulley', in the early 18th century. Born in France during the reign of Louis XIV, Picart was a master of engraving, capturing the burgeoning interest in science and mechanics of the Enlightenment. But, consider the solitary figure here, toiling with a lever. The image is ostensibly about the science of pulleys, yet it is also about labor and the human body. This engraving invites us to consider the physical exertion involved in early industrial processes, and the relationship between the human body and the machine. Where is the glory in work here? The print invites reflection on the social and economic structures of Picart’s time. It reminds us that technological progress is always intertwined with human effort and, often, human exploitation. This pulley isn’t just a feat of engineering; it’s a portrait of the human condition.