View of the bay from Batticaloa fort, Sri Lanka 1862 - 1903

W.L.H. Skeen & Co. made this albumen print of Batticaloa fort in Sri Lanka. Here we see cannons overlooking a tranquil bay; a powerful image of imperial dominance that also acts as a picturesque scene. As we consider this image, we must remember that Skeen was a commercial photographer, whose images helped construct a romantic vision of Ceylon, modern-day Sri Lanka, for Western consumers. The cannons are not simply relics; they represent colonial power and control. The island's geography, with its strategic location and resources, made it a valuable asset in the eyes of European powers. The Dutch initially built the fort in 1665 and the British later controlled it, adding to the complex institutional history here. The image prompts us to consider the politics of imagery and how photography can be used to promote particular agendas. Understanding such photographs requires us to look into colonial archives, travelogues, and other historical sources. This will reveal the complex ways in which art is contingent on both social and institutional contexts.