Gezicht op een opstelling van de papierfabriek van De Naeyer & Cie op de Wereldtentoonstelling van Antwerpen in 1894 1894

Charles Bernhoeft captured this image of the De Naeyer & Cie paper factory display at the Antwerp World Exhibition in 1894. These World’s Fairs were grand stages, aren't they, showcasing industrial progress and colonial power? Bernhoeft’s photograph offers a glimpse into the machinery that defined the era, but what about the human element? Consider the laborers, toiling within these factories, their lives shaped by the demands of industry. These factories often relied on the exploitation of marginalized communities. How does it feel to see this celebration of industry, knowing its foundations were built on unequal labor practices? This image serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between progress, power, and the human cost of production.