Surinaamse jongen met ezel 1900 - 1910

This photograph, titled "Surinaamse jongen met ezel" was taken by Eugen Klein. In this image, a young Surinamese boy stands next to a donkey, both looking towards the camera. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, photography played a significant role in shaping perceptions of race and identity, often reinforcing colonial power dynamics. Klein's work is a product of its time. What do we make of the power relations inherent in this image? The boy's direct gaze confronts us, yet the context of colonial Suriname complicates any simple reading of empowerment. How does the photograph navigate the space between documentation and exoticization? Does it challenge or perpetuate stereotypes? Consider how photography can simultaneously reveal and conceal, offering glimpses into individual lives while also reflecting broader societal attitudes and the complex interplay of identity, representation, and power.