Fundering van de binnenkeer- en schutsluis te Vlissingen 1869

A.L. Preuninger captured in a photograph the very foundations of Vlissingen's inner lock. The image’s strength lies in its depiction of collective human endeavor. This echoes in the myth of the Tower of Babel, where unity of purpose challenged the divine order, or the communal ship-building in ancient Greece, symbolizing societal strength and unity. The motif of construction is not just about physical creation. It’s a metaphor for civilization itself— a collective endeavor to impose order on the chaos of nature. The presence of numerous figures engaged in a shared task evokes our inherent social nature and the deep-seated need to collaborate, reminding us that civilization is built not by individuals, but by communities. This cyclical pattern reminds us that the foundations we lay today influence the structures of tomorrow, creating an ongoing dialogue between generations.