Zicht op Calais vanuit de haven c. 1850

Alexandre Francia's View of Calais from the Harbor captures the energy of maritime life through lithography. Francia was born during a time of significant social and economic change. With industrialization transforming landscapes, and class structures solidifying. The bustling harbor scene, rendered in shades of gray, embodies the intersection of labor, trade, and identity. Fishermen and sailors navigate treacherous waters, their livelihoods dependent on the sea's bounty. The lithograph subtly hints at the risks and rewards associated with maritime professions, reflecting the gendered division of labor, where men braved the open sea while women supported their families ashore. Here the sea becomes a site of both freedom and constraint, echoing the complex realities of nineteenth-century life. Francia’s lithograph invites us to consider the human stories embedded within the broader narratives of trade and exploration.