Gezicht op een zeewering bij Westkapelle op Walcheren 1883 - 1900

Carl Emil Mögle made this photograph of a sea defense at Westkapelle on Walcheren island, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. It offers us insight into the social and cultural values of the time. The image creates meaning through its composition. The seemingly endless man-made sea defense stretches into the distance, dwarfing the two figures standing upon it. The photograph likely reflects the ongoing struggle of the Dutch people against the sea. Consider how the cultural emphasis on land reclamation and hydraulic engineering might have influenced the artist's choice of subject matter. Does the photograph glorify the technological prowess of Dutch society? Or is it a more ambivalent reflection on humanity's place in nature? As historians, we might consult archives of engineering drawings and municipal records to better understand the social function of this structure. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.