La Scierie du Bas-Meudon 1868

Félix Bracquemond created this etching, "La Scierie du Bas-Meudon," capturing a scene of a sawmill on the outskirts of Paris. Bracquemond, working in the 19th century, situated himself within the broader context of industrial expansion and urbanization. What might seem like a simple landscape is actually steeped in the historical and social shifts of its time. With its detailed depiction of labor, the artwork raises questions about the lives of the working class and the changing dynamics of urban existence. The sawmill, nestled on the riverbank, becomes a site where industry and nature intersect. The landscape invites us to consider the environmental impact of industrialization, and the way of life for workers in this period. Bracquemond’s etching, while subtle, offers a glimpse into a world where the natural and the industrial collide, prompting us to reflect on the human cost of progress.