Geneesheerswoning, Paradise 1891

Gomez Burke created this photograph entitled Geneesheerswoning, Paradise, and it offers a glimpse into a specific place and time. The photograph depicts a doctor's residence by the water, in what is presumably a tropical environment, a detail which gives us a look into the colonial history embedded in the landscape. The title itself is suggestive. What does 'paradise' mean in this context? Is it an acknowledgment of the lush beauty of the natural world, or is it a more ironic comment on the realities of colonial life, where the idea of paradise often masked exploitation and disease? The presence of the doctor’s residence speaks to the health challenges faced by colonizers, and perhaps also to the disparities in healthcare between them and the local population. This photograph is a nuanced reflection on how the concept of paradise is laden with complex histories of power, privilege, and the human impact on the environment.