Fabriek Rewoeloe 1886

Kassian Céphas made this albumen print of the Rewoeloe Factory in Java, part of the Dutch East Indies. It presents a stark view of colonial industry. The photograph’s composition, with its vast, empty foreground, emphasizes the factory’s imposing presence on the landscape. This was a period of intense economic exploitation by the Dutch, and factories like Rewoeloe were central to that system. The industrial architecture is deliberately modern. This choice would have sent a message about the power of colonial technology and commerce. The photograph itself served a purpose. It was likely commissioned by the Dutch colonial administration or the factory owners to document their activities and promote their vision of progress. Looking at photographs like this, we can research colonial archives and economic reports to better understand the complex relationship between industry, colonialism, and local populations. The meaning of this image is deeply rooted in the social and institutional context of its time.