Aanleg van een rubberplantage van de Deli Maatschappij bij Soengei Tassik op Sumatra c. 1900 - 1920

This anonymous photograph, dated c. 1900-1920, depicts the clearing of a rubber plantation in Sumatra, Indonesia. The image shows a vast expanse of land that has been cleared of its original forest, with only the stumps of felled trees remaining. A winding dirt road cuts through the cleared area, leading to a small building in the distance. The photograph serves as a powerful visual testament to the impact of colonial exploitation on the environment, highlighting the destruction of natural habitats to support the rubber industry in the early 20th century. It is part of the Rijksmuseum collection.