Draagconstructie c. 1864

This is a technical drawing by Willem Springer Jr., whose life spanned much of the 19th century. Springer, born into a changing world, witnessed the rise of industrialization and urbanization. His drawings are documents but also serve as a reminder of how social progress rests on design and construction, that affects the lives and labor of many. This drawing of structural supports, with its precise measurements and calculations, evokes the invisible labor required to build the infrastructure of modern life. As we look at the delicate lines and numbers, we might reflect on the workers who would have transformed these plans into physical reality, and who were often marginalized by class and gender. While seemingly technical, it subtly shapes societal issues by influencing the material conditions of everyday existence. It reminds us that technical drawings can be profoundly personal, embodying human effort and shaping our shared environments.