Willemsspoorbrug over de Maas in Rotterdam 1877 - 1890

This is an anonymous photograph of the Willemsspoorbrug over the Maas in Rotterdam. Bridges, in their architectural ingenuity, literally and figuratively connect different points. But the presence of two figures, presumably men, standing along the tracks invites us to consider questions of access and social mobility. In the 19th century, industrialization brought rapid urbanization and societal restructuring, including shifting gender roles. Infrastructure projects like this bridge became powerful symbols of progress, but this progress was often unequally distributed. Who had access to this new technology, and who was left behind? What did it mean to be on the move? The scale and perspective emphasize the industrial magnitude while also prompting us to reflect on the lived experiences of those who built, maintained, and used the bridge. It makes me think about how the bridge could be a physical manifestation of opportunity and division.