Antwerpse havenarbeiders 1878 - 1890

Jean Baptiste Pierre Michiels created this print of Antwerp dockworkers. The scene recalls a moment of industrial ambition under Napoleon I in 1804. The print encapsulates a sense of labor and collective effort, but let's consider it through a contemporary lens. We are invited to reflect on the identities and histories of those involved in its creation and reception. The image offers an opportunity to examine the narratives surrounding work, power, and identity in the 19th century. The workers are presented as a unified mass, their individuality subsumed by their collective labor. The print invites a reflection on the human cost of grand ambitions and the complex interplay between individual lives and historical forces. How do we reconcile the artistic celebration of progress with the realities of labor exploitation? The emotional impact of this piece lies in its ability to provoke questions and challenge assumptions.