De Stadsherberg te Batavia 1865 - 1869

Editor: So, this photograph is titled "De Stadsherberg te Batavia," created between 1865 and 1869 by Woodbury & Page. It’s a gelatin silver print that depicts a street scene. There's something so…still about it, despite the implied hustle and bustle of a city street. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: What immediately jumps out is the stark contrast between the idealized depiction of colonial life and the potential realities of Batavia at the time. How do you think photographs like this one, meant for a Western audience, contributed to a specific image of colonial life in the Dutch East Indies? Editor: I guess it presents a picture of order and prosperity, almost a romanticized view, right? The neat rows of columns, the waiting carriages… it’s all very composed. Curator: Exactly. It's Orientalism playing out through a photographic lens. Think about the role of photography in shaping public perception. Whose perspective is prioritized here, and whose is omitted or marginalized? The local population, for example? Editor: That's a really good point. You see carriages, but not really anyone walking that is obviously "local", and that does feel like a statement, intentional or not. It’s definitely not a complete picture. Curator: It's about control, wouldn’t you agree? Photographs were powerful tools. They projected authority and influence, shaping perceptions of power and civility. Who commissioned it, how it was disseminated, and what message was being broadcast are important considerations. Editor: It really reframes how I see the image. What looked like just a calm street scene now feels loaded with the politics of the time. Curator: Precisely. Understanding the context – the social, cultural, and institutional forces at play – adds layers of meaning. I always try to remember that a photograph from that era can reflect power as much as it reflects reality. Editor: I’ll definitely look at similar works differently from now on. Thanks for pointing all of that out.