Havengezicht bij de Guadalquivir in Sevilla c. 1890

Emilio Beauchy made this photograph, "Havengezicht bij de Guadalquivir in Sevilla," in 1898. The Guadalquivir River, once vital for trade with the Americas, is captured here during a period of profound change in Spain. Beauchy, a Spaniard, documented the architecture and urban life of Seville. This image shows a busy scene of workers and goods, subtly revealing the social dynamics of the time. What does it mean to be working, transporting goods? Who profits from this labor? The black and white medium adds a sense of timelessness. Consider the composition: the river, the bridge, the industrial infrastructure along the banks. Beauchy's gaze lingers on the material and the physical effort that sustains the city. His work invites us to reflect on the relationship between labor, identity, and place.