Acht fragmenten van pilaren before 1868

This photogravure, titled "Acht fragmenten van pilaren", meaning eight fragments of pillars, was created by William H. Griggs. These fragments of pillars invite us to consider how historical objects become carriers of cultural memory. Likely made as a record for a British colonial project, the image serves not only as documentation, but also as a statement about the politics of imagery and the public role of art. When examining visual codes within, questions arise: how do these fragments reflect the social conditions of their time? Were they preserved or repurposed under colonial rule, and what does this signify? Do they challenge or uphold the social norms and institutions of art of the time? To fully understand this, we must delve into socio-political, economic, and cultural forces, exploring resources from colonial archives, historical societies, and academic research. It is through this investigation that we recognize the meaning of art as contingent on social and institutional contexts.