The Iron Forge between Dolgelli and Barmouth in Merioneth Shire 1776

Paul Sandby’s etching captures an iron forge nestled in the Welsh landscape. The prominent water wheel, a crucial mechanism, dominates the scene, drawing power from the cascade to drive the forge's machinery. The wheel—a symbol of cyclical motion—reappears throughout art history, evoking ideas of destiny, the passage of time, and transformation. Think of Fortuna’s wheel in medieval art, where figures rise and fall with its turning. The dark interior of the forge, juxtaposed with the bright exterior, speaks to a deeper psychological tension. Light and darkness serve as potent symbols of the subconscious, and the unknown. The workers, half-lit within the forge, hint at unseen labor, a subterranean world of toil that fuels progress above ground. This interplay engages our collective memory of labor, echoing scenes of mythological workshops. The image lingers, inviting us to reflect on the ever-turning wheel of history and the human cost of industry.