Gezicht op de Willemsspoorbrug over de Maas in Rotterdam after 1877

Here we see Andries Jager's photograph of the Willemsspoorbrug over the Maas in Rotterdam. It is undated, though we can place it in the latter half of the 19th century. Jager's photograph offers a glimpse into the Netherlands' burgeoning industrial era. It was a period marked by rapid technological advancement and economic growth, and also by stark class divisions. While the bridge symbolizes progress and connectivity, its construction relied on the labor of countless workers, many of whom faced harsh conditions and exploitation. The photograph acts as a mirror reflecting society's complex relationship with modernity. While celebrating engineering achievements, Jager’s picture, taken in muted tones, is also a reminder of the human cost often obscured in the pursuit of progress.