Gezelschap bij een automobiel, mogelijk bij L'Isle-Adam 1897

This early photograph captures a group posed with an automobile, a symbol of modernity and burgeoning industrial power. Note how the man at the helm mirrors the charioteers of antiquity, figures of control steering powerful forces. The automobile itself, with its gleaming metal and mechanical complexity, becomes a modern-day chariot, a vehicle of progress and status. Yet, the expressions of the passengers are far from triumphant; there’s a certain reserved apprehension, a recognition of the machine’s potential but also its untamed nature. The wheel, prominently featured, harks back to ancient sun symbols and cycles of life. Think of the Wheel of Fortune, a recurring motif throughout history representing the unpredictable nature of fate. Here, the automobile's wheels suggest a society on the move, propelled forward into an uncertain future. This photograph isn’t just a snapshot; it's a potent symbol of transition, fear, and the unyielding march of time.