Weg naar een huis 1863 - 1869

Woodbury & Page created this photograph, "Weg naar een huis," capturing a view of a path leading to a house. During their time as photographers in the Dutch East Indies, Woodbury and Page navigated a complex colonial landscape. Their work straddled the line between objective documentation and the imposition of a colonial gaze. This image, like much of their photography, offers a glimpse into the lives and environments of the Javanese people, but it's crucial to consider who is behind the camera, framing the narrative. The photograph invites reflection on the concept of 'home' within a colonial context. Whose home is this? Who is allowed access? The path, though inviting, hints at the power dynamics at play, where access and representation are mediated through the lens of colonialism. It prompts us to consider how identity and belonging are negotiated in spaces marked by historical and social inequality.