Sociëteit in Penang 1880 - 1885

This photograph, by A. Kaulfuss, shows a colonial building in Penang, likely taken at the end of the 19th century. As a photographic print, it is a direct product of industrial modernity. The materials and processes used to create this image are significant. Photographic prints in this era relied on the use of chemical processes, coated papers, and specialized lenses. Think about the labor involved. The photographer's technical skill, alongside that of the factory workers who produced the materials, and the labor of those who maintained the building and grounds. It's an image of leisure and power enabled by labor. Consider the social context. Photography democratized image-making but was still very much a technology of empire. This particular image shows a colonial building. It speaks volumes about power dynamics and the photographer's point of view. Paying attention to the materials and processes, alongside the social context, helps us understand the photograph’s full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and documentation.