Gezicht op Singapore 1867 - 1880

This photograph is of a ‘View of Singapore,’ made by G.R. Lambert & Co. It is a window onto a moment in time and a place shaped by the forces of colonialism. The image offers a glimpse into Singapore's urban landscape, where the architecture and the arrangement of space reflect the social hierarchies of the colonial era. Note the division between the European quarters with their grand buildings and the more modest dwellings of the local population. This division speaks volumes about power, privilege, and access. What does it mean to view this landscape through the lens of a colonial enterprise? How does this image perpetuate or challenge existing narratives about Singapore's history? The image is not just a representation of a place, but an embodiment of the complex relationship between colonizer and colonized, a testament to the enduring legacy of colonialism.