Gezicht op de opstelling van H. Henriksen op de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1885 in Antwerpen before 1885

This photograph captures H. Henriksen’s display at the 1885 World’s Fair in Antwerp. International expositions like this one played a crucial role in shaping global trade and cultural exchange. Here, we see an intriguing mix of industrial machinery and artisanal craftsmanship. The display suggests an emerging tension between mass production and traditional skills, a key concern during the late 19th century as industrialization accelerated across Europe. The fair itself was a carefully constructed stage. Belgium, like other colonial powers, used these events to showcase national progress and project an image of civilization and modernity. To understand the full significance of Henriksen's display, we might consult trade journals, exhibition catalogues, and archival records. These sources reveal the complex interplay of economic ambition, national identity, and evolving consumer tastes that shaped the world of 1885. Through such research, we recognize that the meaning of art is always bound to its original social and institutional contexts.