Dorpsgezichten in Grobogan 1910 - 1928

These two gelatin silver photographs, mounted in an album, show scenes in Grobogan, probably made by a European photographer. The sepia tones give a sense of warmth, but it's the content of the images that really speaks to us. Look at the way that labour is depicted: we see people physically engaged with their environment, navigating waterways by using very basic means. The images show how people are integrated with their surroundings. It's a scene of everyday life, but the album format elevates these images, presenting them as keepsakes for a European audience. Consider how the photographer, in capturing these scenes, participates in a broader colonial narrative. What is a commonplace activity for the indigenous peoples becomes an object of fascination and documentation for the colonizers. The photographs, now artifacts, highlight the social dynamics at play, revealing a complex interplay of labour, representation, and cultural exchange.