Bezoek aan de leprozerie Pelantoengan 1931 - 1935

This is an image by Otto Hisgen showing a visit to the Pelantoengan leper colony. The photograph appears to be sepia-toned, giving it a vintage feel. I imagine Hisgen, with his camera, trying to capture the scene, carefully framing the composition to include the visitors, the patients, and the surrounding buildings. Hisgen might have been drawn to the human aspect, documenting how people interact and how they live in this isolated community. I imagine him considering the ethical implications of his work and the potential for his photographs to raise awareness about the lives of those affected by leprosy. What was he thinking as he decided which moments to capture? The photograph provides a glimpse into a specific time and place, inviting us to reflect on the history of leprosy treatment, colonial contexts, and the experiences of those who lived and worked at Pelantoengan. Much like painters, photographers leave traces of their presence, opening the world to new ways of seeing.