Viaduct bij Groot Bakallan 1880 - 1888

Herman Salzwedel captured this albumen print of the Viaduct at Groot Bakallan in the Dutch East Indies. This image speaks volumes about the meeting of industrial progress and colonial ambition. The imposing viaduct, a marvel of engineering, cuts through the lush Indonesian landscape. Consider the cultural context: this photograph was likely commissioned to showcase the technological prowess of the Dutch colonial regime, meant to impress both those at home and to project an image of control and development in the colony. The photograph creates a visual narrative about power and dominion. The train in the background, a symbol of modernity and control, literally and figuratively bridges the gap between colonizer and colonized. To fully understand the photograph, we can delve into archives, colonial records, and engineering reports to reveal the social and institutional dynamics that shaped not only the image but also the landscape it depicts.