Portret van acht Magar strijders uit Nepal before 1868

This photograph of eight Magar fighters from Nepal was taken by Benjamin Simpson, likely in the mid-19th century. The photographic process itself - a carefully prepared glass plate, a darkroom tent, long exposure times - gives a sense of the effort involved in capturing this image. Photography at this time was far from a snapshot; it required chemical expertise and considerable patience. This lends the portrait a gravitas, a sense of careful consideration. We see the men posed formally with their weapons, creating an impression of martial readiness. The photograph's materiality – its sepia tones and the texture of the print itself – place it firmly in the history of early photography, while also documenting the lives and culture of the Magar people, a distinct ethnic group within Nepal. The image transcends the traditional boundaries of fine art, offering a glimpse into the social context of a particular time and place. It reminds us of photography’s role as a tool for documentation, and its power to shape our understanding of different cultures.