Railway Station in Kayes 1889

Edouard Riou made this ink drawing, Railway Station in Kayes. The linear precision of the printmaking process is evident, especially in how the cross-hatching creates depth and shadow. The drawing depicts a bustling railway station in Kayes, a city in present-day Mali. The iron train itself symbolizes industrialization, and the steam evokes the power of its engine. Notice the figures loading what appear to be raw materials onto the train. The presence of the railway, imposed on this landscape, speaks to European colonialism and the extraction of resources from Africa. Consider the labor involved in constructing both the railway and the station itself. The contrast between the industrial materials of the train and the surrounding environment raises questions about the impact of progress on traditional ways of life. It’s important to recognize how these images, while seemingly documentary, are deeply implicated in a history of power and exploitation.