Graf van G.J. Dammers 1917 - 1919

This is a photograph of the grave of G.J. Dammers, who died in Medan on March 18, 1917, at the age of 54. The anonymous photographer has captured a stone grave in what appears to be a tropical environment. The inscription is in Dutch, suggesting that Dammers was part of the Dutch colonial administration or a member of the Dutch community in the region, likely Sumatra, Indonesia. The orderly arrangement of the grave and the presence of what looks like an ordered cemetery suggest the imposition of European cultural norms within a colonial context. We can read it as a symbol of the colonial presence and its attempt to establish a sense of order and permanence in a foreign land. Historical archives, colonial records, and genealogical databases could provide more information about the life and social context of G.J. Dammers and the Dutch presence in Medan during the early 20th century. Understanding such cultural and historical details helps us to interpret this image beyond its face value.