Merxplas (or Merksplas) Labour Colony, Belgium
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Merxplas (or Merksplas) Labour Colony, Belgium
A new inmate arrives in the director principals carriage at the labour colony and beggars depot at Merxplas (or Merksplas), Belgium. Date: 1904
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Media ID 8200387
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10636137
Arrives Beggars Colony Depot Director Inmate Labour Merksplas Merxplas Principals
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the arrival of a new inmate at the Merxplas Labour Colony and Beggars Depot in Belgium, in the year 1904. The image portrays the director of the colony, seated in the carriage, overseeing the intake process of the latest addition to the labor force. The new inmate, dressed in ragged clothing and with a dejected expression, steps off the carriage, likely feeling the weight of the uncertainty and hardship that awaits him within the colony's walls. The Merxplas Labour Colony and Beggars Depot were established in the late 19th century to address the growing issue of poverty and unemployment in Belgium. The facility aimed to provide work and shelter for the destitute, with the inmates expected to labor in various industries, such as textiles, agriculture, and construction. However, the conditions within the colony were notoriously harsh, with long hours, meager rations, and strict discipline. The carriage, adorned with the insignia of the director, serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamic at play. The inmate's arrival marks the beginning of his journey through the labor colony system, one that would be marked by hardship, toil, and, for many, a tenuous hold on survival. The image offers a poignant glimpse into the past, shedding light on the plight of the marginalized and the role of institutions in shaping the lives of those who were considered society's outcasts.
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