Locomotief van de spoorlijn op de Rigi after 1879

This stereoscopic photograph captures a steam train on the Rigi railway, masterfully rendered by Florentin Charnaux. The dominant image is the train itself, an early symbol of industrial progress. The train, with its phallic smokestack, is reminiscent of ancient fertility symbols and the power of human innovation. Consider the Winged Wheel, a symbol of transportation since the late 19th century. It reoccurs across different cultures and is a variant of the sun wheel, a symbol associated with forward movement and progress, and one that can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamian cultures. The train evokes a sense of power, both physical and psychological. It’s a mechanical beast, tamed and directed by human will. This reflects our collective desires to dominate nature, to bridge geographical divides, and perhaps, to overcome our own limitations. The emotional charge of such images taps into deep-seated anxieties and aspirations, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. This cyclical progression from primitive symbols to modern technology underscores how deeply rooted our cultural symbols are.