Pakoe Boewono IX, Susuhunan van Surakarta 1868 - 1872

Curator: Just look at this remarkable photograph! It's a portrait of Pakoe Boewono IX, Susuhunan van Surakarta, taken sometime between 1868 and 1872 by Woodbury & Page. I am really struck by its depth and sense of timelessness. What's your initial reaction? Editor: A king in sepia tones... almost like a dream. The eyes are surprisingly gentle, considering all the regalia. What an intricate parade of ornaments. The ornamental dagger catches my eye... what’s the meaning of this symbol? Curator: The kris! Absolutely. It's more than just a dagger; it's a symbol of power, status, and spiritual potency in Javanese culture. It’s said that each one has its own spirit or energy. Editor: Ah, like a personalized force field. Look at the ornate design; so much visual storytelling! Also the sun-like brooches—it really seems to evoke not just power, but a sort of cosmic importance. The photographic treatment also fascinates me: there is an overlay of Orientalism with sharp realism. Curator: Exactly. The photographers are really trying to present the ruler in the height of grandeur. They capture the texture of his jacket, the subtle light on his face, creating a fascinating juxtaposition between cultural representation and photographic realism. Editor: I notice, however, this isn't just neutral documentation. The controlled pose, the deliberate arrangement of symbols, feels performative. Like a statement intended for a very specific audience, both domestic and perhaps...colonial. What could he want? Curator: Recognition. Legitimacy, definitely on an international stage, but also very much for the people. Think about it – photography was a new, powerful medium at the time. This portrait allows Pakoe Boewono IX to assert his presence in a modern world, using all the symbols that speak to tradition, to divine right. He also needs to represent his land’s identity under complex relationships with the colonizers. What a task. Editor: It’s like a carefully constructed image that tells a specific story of culture, identity, and maybe even negotiation of power. The picture does more than shows what things look like. It speaks. I appreciate being able to delve into those layers. Curator: A moment caught, pregnant with intent. Yes, the conversation it holds is worth diving into!