Mannen werken in de modelmakerij van porseleinfabriek Rozenburg c. 1890

This photograph by Ritscher & Landsman captures men at work in the model workshop of the Rozenburg porcelain factory. The image offers a glimpse into the industrial landscape and labor practices of the time. The photograph serves as a historical record, documenting the socio-economic conditions and the working-class identities of these men, as well as raising issues of class and labor. Note how the all-male environment underscores the gendered division of labor prevalent during this period, with women largely excluded from these industrial roles. The image offers a silent yet poignant commentary on the lives and contributions of these workers. Their labor fueled the production of exquisite porcelain, which often catered to the tastes of the elite. Through this photograph, we're invited to contemplate the intersection of labor, gender, and class, and the complex narratives embedded within seemingly straightforward depictions of industrial life.