The evolution of freight transport in paintings by famous artists Automatic translate

The transportation of goods has always accompanied the development of human civilization, shaping the economy and society. Artists have captured various modes of transport in their works for centuries, creating a visual chronicle of how goods moved from one place to another in different eras.

Horse drawn carts

In the pre-industrial era, horse-drawn carts were the primary means of transporting goods on land, especially in agrarian societies. These paintings show how farmers used carts to transport agricultural produce, reflecting the daily life and economy of the time.

"Haymaking" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1565)

Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s Haymaking, painted in 1565, depicts farmers gathering hay and loading it onto a horse-drawn cart. It is part of a series representing the months of the year and reflects 16th-century agricultural life in the Netherlands. The cart is a key element here, showing how farmers transported hay for storage or sale at local markets.

In the 16th century, roads in Europe were mostly unpaved and often in poor condition, limiting the speed and range of transport. Horse-drawn carts transported not only hay, but also grain, firewood, and other goods within villages and nearby towns. This form of transport was vital to the agricultural economy, supporting local trade and providing food for the population. Brueghel’s painting highlights the society’s reliance on manual labor and animals, reflecting the limited but sustainable transportation methods of the time.

"The Gleaners" by Jean-François Millet (1853-1854)

Painted in 1853-54, The Gleaners (or The Harvest) depicts peasants harvesting wheat, with a cart in the background used to transport the harvested crop. The painting depicts rural life in mid-19th century France, when the agricultural sector remained very important despite the onset of industrialization.

In the mid-19th century, horse-drawn carriages remained common in rural areas where railways were not yet widespread. They allowed grain, vegetables and other produce to be transported to local markets or to railway stations for further transport. This form of transport provided flexibility, especially in remote areas where roads remained unpaved. Millais, known for his realistic scenes, highlights the labour of peasants and their dependence on such means, showing how traditional methods persisted amid technological change.

"The Cart" by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (mid-19th century)

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot’s Hay Wagon Crossing a Ford Near a Large Tree, created around 1850-60, depicts a cart in a rural French landscape. The painting shows how carts were used to transport goods in rural areas, even in an era when railroads were becoming commonplace.

In the mid-19th century, despite the development of railways, horse-drawn carriages remained an important means of local transportation, especially in rural areas. They carried not only agricultural produce, but also building materials, firewood, and other goods, providing a link between villages and small towns. This form of transport was slow but reliable, allowing goods to be delivered to places inaccessible by trains. Corot’s painting reflects the continuation of traditional methods against the backdrop of the emerging industrial revolution, showing how old and new ways coexisted.

Railways

The arrival of railways in the 19th century transformed freight transport, making it faster and more efficient. These images show how trains became part of the landscape and economy, reflecting industrialization.

"The Lackawanna Valley" by George Iniess (1855)

This painting by George Iniess, created in 1855, depicts a train passing through a valley in Pennsylvania, USA. In the foreground are a locomotive and carriages, surrounded by an industrial landscape of factories and mines. This reflects the influence of railroads on American industry, especially in the transportation of coal and other goods.

In the mid-19th century, railroads revolutionized freight transportation, reducing delivery times and increasing volumes. In the rapidly expanding U.S., trains became the primary means of transporting coal, iron, and agricultural products over long distances. This allowed remote regions to be connected, facilitating the growth of industry and trade. Iniss’s painting highlights how railroads transformed the landscape, becoming a symbol of progress and economic growth.

"Landscape with Railway Tracks" by Gustave Caillebotte (c. 1872)

Gustave Caillebotte’s Landscape with Railway Tracks, painted around 1872, depicts a French landscape with railway tracks running through fields and villages. The painting shows the tracks, a steam locomotive, and the surrounding nature, showing the integration of trains into everyday life.

By the 1870s, railways were well established in Europe, with goods such as coal, textiles and food being transported over long distances by train. They provided fast and reliable connections between cities, which contributed to the growth of industry and trade. Caillebotte’s painting shows how trains became part of everyday life, highlighting their importance for economic development and the transformation of traditional methods of transportation.

Water transport

Water transport, rivers, canals and ports have remained indispensable since prehistoric times, especially for international trade. These images show the evolution from traditional methods to engineering marvels that impact the global economy.

"Inauguration Ceremony of the Suez Canal at Port Said" by Edouard Riou (1869)

Edouard Riou’s 1869 painting depicts the opening of the Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The painting features ships, dignitaries and a festive atmosphere that underscores the historical significance of the event.

The Suez Canal, opened in 1869, was a major engineering achievement, cutting thousands of miles off the shipping routes between Europe and Asia. It greatly accelerated the transport of goods such as textiles, spices and oil, facilitating global trade. Riou’s painting charts the transition to modern water transport methods, showing how engineering projects transformed the world’s economy.

"The Louing Canal at Nemours" by Alfred Sisley (1872)

Alfred Sisley depicted a canal used to transport goods, with boats and banks surrounded by nature. This highlights the role of canals in 19th century Europe, providing an economical way to transport goods.

In the 19th century, canals such as the Louing Canal were important for local and regional routes, allowing the transport of coal, grain and building materials. They provided cheaper routes than railways, especially for heavy freight. Sisley’s painting captures the tranquility and functionality of such waterways, highlighting their importance to the French economy at the time.

“Barge Haulers on the Volga” by Ilya Repin (1870-1873)

Ilya Repin, in his painting "Barge Haulers on the Volga", created in 1870-1873, depicted peasants pulling a barge along the Volga River. The painting shows exhausted men walking in a chain, working in incredibly difficult conditions.

In 19th-century Russia, river transport was used to transport goods such as timber, grain, and salt, especially before infrastructure was modernized. Barge haulers pulling barges by hand show traditional methods that persisted amid industrialization in other countries. Repin’s painting captures the social realities and challenges of river transport, highlighting the human element in the economy of the time.

"The Harbour of Les Avres" by Claude Monet (late 19th century)

Claude Monet depicted a busy port with ships, cranes and workers in his painting. It conveys the dynamism of port activity, emphasizing the importance of maritime trade.

By the end of the 19th century, ports like Le Havre had become hubs of international trade, transporting goods like coffee, sugar and textiles across oceans. This reflected the growth of the global economy and the development of steamships, which made shipping faster and more efficient. Monet’s painting shows how ports became an important part of the transport network, connecting continents and fuelling economic growth.

"The Conquerors (Culebra Cut, Panama Canal)" by Jonas Lee (1913)

Jonas Lee depicts the construction of the Panama Canal, with workers, machinery, and the canal being dug. It documents an engineering project important to global shipping routes.

The Panama Canal, completed in 1914, connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, reducing shipping times and costs. It allowed goods such as oil, grain, and manufactured goods to be transported between the Americas, facilitating global trade. Lee’s painting reflects the transition to modern methods, highlighting the role of engineering advances in transporting goods.

Initial automobile transport

In the early 20th century, trucks began to replace carts and compete with trains for short and medium distances, reflecting the move to modern methods such as those commonly used today, such as those described on the Main Transport website .

By the 1920s, trucks had become a common means of transporting goods, especially in cities and suburbs where railroads were less efficient. They allowed goods such as food, building materials, and manufactured goods to be delivered directly to their destinations, increasing flexibility and speed. Unfortunately, the beginning of the automobile era went unnoticed by artists in the changing painting styles of the early 20th century, when realism and representation began to give way to abstract movements, but the role of trucks in changing the transportation system cannot be overlooked.

The paintings reviewed in this review offer a visual story about the evolution of cargo transportation from the 16th to the early 20th century. We have selected famous works by great artists for it, but the transport industry was still booming. And someday this review will probably be significantly expanded with new names and paintings telling about one of the services without which life on the planet would not have reached such a level of technology, if people had not learned to move goods quickly, safely and efficiently.