Sambhoo Sing, The Maharana of Meywar, India, from the Savage and Semi-Barbarous Chiefs and Rulers series (N189) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

Editor: This is an 1888 print titled "Sambhoo Sing, The Maharana of Meywar, India," part of the "Savage and Semi-Barbarous Chiefs and Rulers" series. It has a rather formal, posed quality. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful example of Orientalism, particularly the ways in which Western companies like Wm. S. Kimball & Co. exoticized and othered non-Western cultures through these commercial prints. The title itself, associating "savage" with this ruler, reveals deep-seated colonial prejudices. Where do you see that prejudice operating? Editor: I suppose in the way his image is being consumed by a Western audience – as something exotic and ‘other.’ It feels very removed from any authentic representation of the Maharana himself. Curator: Exactly. And think about the power dynamic embedded in the gaze. The company profits by presenting Sambhoo Sing, an Indian ruler, as a collectible, effectively reducing him to a caricature for Western consumption. Consider how race, class and power intersect here. Does it bring anything to mind? Editor: It reminds me of how indigenous peoples were depicted in early photography, often staged and stereotyped to fit a Western narrative. Curator: Precisely. The image operates within a larger system of representation that reinforced Western dominance. By understanding this context, we can critically engage with the art and challenge the assumptions it perpetuates. Editor: So, it’s about looking beyond the surface and understanding the historical and social forces at play. I didn't initially grasp the depth of the issues it raises. Curator: That’s right. It's through this kind of critical examination that we can uncover the complex narratives embedded within seemingly simple images.