Vissers halen hun boten aan wal 1889

This photograph, “Vissers halen hun boten aan wal”, which translates to “Fishermen bring their boats ashore," was created by Paul Güssfeldt. The image is an intimate glimpse into the lives of working-class fishermen, situated against the backdrop of a changing world. During the time Güssfeldt was working, there were new developments in industrialization and technology, which began to encroach on traditional ways of life. The presence of a steamship in the distance juxtaposes the traditional sailing vessels, hinting at these transformations. The fishermen in the image appear pensive, perhaps contemplating the precariousness of their livelihoods in the face of modernity. Through a contemporary lens, the image also invites reflection on labor, class, and environmental issues. These fishermen depended on the sea for their livelihoods, their lives were intimately connected to the natural world. "Vissers halen hun boten aan wal" invites us to reflect on the historical and ongoing dialogues between humanity, labor, and the environment.