Portret van een Indonesische man in traditionele kleding 1857 - 1865

This albumen print, “Portrait of an Indonesian man in traditional clothing,” was produced by the studio of Woodbury & Page. The albumen print process, popular in the 19th century, involved coating paper with albumen from egg whites, then sensitizing it with silver nitrate. When printed from a negative, the paper produces a detailed image with a distinctive sheen. The tones range from warm browns to sepia, all influenced by the developing and fixing processes. The image’s significance lies in the convergence of cultural representation and photographic technique. Woodbury & Page operated extensively in the Dutch East Indies, producing images for a European audience eager to consume exoticized views of the region. This particular portrait showcases elaborate traditional clothing, likely of considerable labor to produce. The photograph is not simply a neutral record, but a carefully constructed depiction of identity within a colonial context. It highlights the complex interplay between artistry, commerce, and cultural exchange inherent in the history of photography.