Sculptuur Derde periode. Het licht door Antoine Wiertz before 1868

Edmond Fierlants captured this image of a sculpture called "Sculptuur Derde periode. Het licht door Antoine Wiertz". Fierlants, who lived from 1819 to 1869, worked during a time of significant social and political change in Europe. The sculpture depicts a figure holding a torch aloft, seemingly offering light or guidance to a fallen or struggling figure below. Consider the historical context of this piece. The 19th century was marked by industrialization, urbanization, and social upheaval, with many people experiencing poverty and displacement. In this context, the sculpture can be read as a commentary on the role of enlightenment, or perhaps of art itself, in illuminating and uplifting the human condition. The dynamic between the two figures raises questions about power, compassion, and the potential for art to inspire social change. Is the torchbearer offering genuine help, or is their gesture merely symbolic? The sculpture invites us to reflect on our own responsibilities to those in need and the ways in which we can bring light to a world often shrouded in darkness.