Interieur met werknemers van de smederij van de machinefabriek van Gebroeders Stork & Co before 1894

This image captures workers inside the forge of the Stork & Co. machine factory. The prominent machinery symbolizes not just industrial progress but also mankind's evolving relationship with labor and technology. The motif of the forge, with its potent blend of fire and metal, echoes classical myths of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and metalworking. These primal scenes of creation and transformation have recurred across cultures, often linked to notions of power and control. The psychological pull of the forge lies in its evocation of fundamental human drives: to shape, to build, and to dominate the material world. From ancient blacksmiths to modern factory workers, the act of forging has always carried a potent mix of creation and destruction. This image invites us to reflect on the cyclical recurrence of such symbols and their enduring impact on the collective psyche.