Alpenjagers begeleiden muilezels bij het transport van militaire staf, vermoedelijk Italianen 1916

This black and white photograph by Henri de Rothschild captures Alpenjagers guiding mules through a mountainous landscape, presumably during wartime. Observe the mules laden with supplies – beasts of burden that have carried the weight of human ambition since antiquity, as they are symbols of labour and endurance, much like the oxen pulling plows in ancient Egyptian art. One can’t help but notice the stoicism, a trait mirrored across various cultures and eras, from the Roman Empire to the modern age, each imbuing it with their own historical and cultural context. This theme of enduring strength, whether of man or beast, resonates deeply within us, evoking a subconscious connection to our ancestors and the challenges they faced. The collective memory of burdens carried, battles fought, and sacrifices made echoes through time, resurfacing in different forms yet retaining its emotional core.