Sumatra, from the Races of Mankind series (T181) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

Editor: This small print, "Sumatra, from the Races of Mankind series" made in 1881, portrays a man with a striking turban. It’s intriguing but also feels a bit…distant. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, consider what symbols this image would convey to its original audience. The "Races of Mankind" series evokes the 19th century's fascination with categorizing the world, wouldn't you agree? The turban itself speaks volumes – of exoticism, of a culture quite different from the West. Notice how meticulously the artist renders the turban's intricate patterns? Editor: Yes, there's definitely an element of trying to capture something…other. The attention to detail in the turban seems almost…romanticized? But I’m wondering, what about the man's expression? Curator: His gaze is direct, isn't it? It engages, perhaps even challenges the viewer. The expression carries the weight of cultural encounter, of representation. But is it truly *his* expression, or a projection onto him? And consider the title, "Sumatra" – a place, a people reduced to a single face, printed on a cigarette card. The symbol becomes a stand-in for a whole world. Editor: That's powerful, the idea of reducing a place to a face. It makes you think about the responsibility that comes with representation and the symbols we choose to perpetuate. Curator: Precisely! It’s a tiny card, yet it encapsulates so much about how we see – and how we simplify – each other across cultures and throughout time. This card, designed for mass consumption, asks profound questions about cultural memory and historical encounters. Editor: I see it now, a simple portrait that sparks dialogue around cultural understanding. Thank you!