Witsen en Marie Witsen met groep voor stoomtrein (Californië) c. 1860 - 1915

This photograph captures a group of people, including Witsen and Marie Witsen, posing in front of a steam train in California. The train, a symbol of progress and connectivity, stands as a modern-day vehicle of transition, echoing the steeds of ancient myth. Consider the horse, a motif traversing millennia, from the chariots of the sun god Helios to the steeds of conquering heroes. The train, with its iron horse, similarly embodies a powerful movement and speed, carrying individuals into new realms of experience. Just as the horse became emblematic of power and nobility, the steam train, especially in the late 19th century, came to represent industrial might and societal advancement. This image reveals our collective fascination with motion and change. The train evokes a sense of aspiration and potential. Like the horse, the train is an invitation to journey. It stirs deep within us the primal desire to explore, conquer, and transform.