Vuurtoren van Roches-Douvres before 1883

This photograph portrays the Vuurtoren van Roches-Douvres lighthouse in France. The identity of the artist is unknown. Lighthouses, such as this solitary stone structure emerging from the sea, historically embody themes of guidance, safety, and hope. This particular photograph invites reflection on the intersections of industrial progress and maritime identity. During the era in which this image was created, France, like many nations, was expanding its global reach, relying heavily on maritime infrastructure. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, lighthouse keepers lived in isolation, often with their families, in these structures, maintaining the vital light. The gendered division of labor within these families, with men typically managing the light and women maintaining the domestic sphere, speaks to the complex roles individuals played in these remote outposts. This photograph evokes the experiences of the untold number of workers and their families whose labor sustained France's maritime ambitions. This image therefore serves as a meditation on the intersection of labor, gender, and national identity.