Stoomlocomotief before 1871

This photograph of a steam locomotive was taken by George Gardner Rockwood in the late 19th century, a period of rapid industrial expansion. Photography was then a relatively new medium, and the specific photographic processes employed would have significantly shaped the image's appearance. Think about the labor involved in producing a single print: mixing chemicals, preparing the light-sensitive materials, carefully controlling exposure and development. The choice of subject matter is telling too. The steam locomotive was a symbol of progress, connecting distant places and accelerating the pace of life. Its metallic form, the product of skilled labor and industrial might, stands in stark contrast to the more traditional subjects of fine art. Rockwood's photograph invites us to consider the social and economic transformations of his era. The photograph isn't just a picture, but a material artifact reflecting the values and ambitions of a rapidly changing world.