Frictiepersen Possibly 1939

Curator: Today we are observing an intriguing piece entitled "Frictiepersen," possibly from 1939. It's a photographic still life currently residing here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My initial reaction? Steampunk chic. Or maybe just straight-up industrial archaeology. They look like relics from some beautifully obsolete process, all hulking metal and perfectly balanced circular forms. Curator: Indeed. Note the meticulous attention to form; the artist focuses primarily on shape and texture. The interplay between the heavy, static bases and the dynamically positioned flywheels creates a compelling visual tension. Editor: They feel strangely monumental, yet the grayscale palette and soft focus give them a haunted, almost ethereal quality. It's like they are ghosts of industry, silent witnesses to some bygone era of forging and fabrication. What can you tell me about the history surrounding these particular machines? Curator: According to that small placard, these "Frictie-persen," translated to "Friction Presses," are described as able to apply 100 tons of pressure and operated inside the Braat machine factory on January 23rd, 1939. These machines and the details in this photograph seem to point to the increasingly powerful industrial capabilities present leading up to World War II. Editor: Makes sense; now I can’t shake a sense of dread mixed with that earlier fascination. Are those flywheels meant to mimic some strange hybrid of clock gears and wagon wheels? I’m sure whatever process took place in the jaws of these giants must have involved back-breaking labour. Curator: One might certainly interpret their structure that way. I would further highlight the deliberate compositional balance. Note how the arrangement emphasizes a kind of geometric symmetry, albeit one tempered by the subtle variations in lighting. The artist is employing established formal techniques to subtly evoke these machines. Editor: I'm stuck imagining the rhythm of the factory floor, the constant pressure to keep these monstrous mechanisms fed. The photograph captures a pause in that activity, offering us a glimpse into a world driven by human energy—perhaps even drained. Curator: Well put. A stark reminder of both progress and the human cost it sometimes demands. Editor: And hopefully, it’ll inspire further reflection beyond mere technical marvel, too.