Dootje van Zijll de Jong en Lala 1930 - 1935

This small, anonymous photograph presents "Dootje van Zijll de Jong en Lala" in a composition that subtly unsettles expectations. Executed in black and white, the photograph's muted tones emphasize the textures and forms of the subjects and background. The subjects are rigidly arranged in the foreground, their forms creating a contrast between youth and age. The Western subject on the left with her arms crossed and the Javanese subject on the right. Their positioning creates a visual tension, inviting a reading of power dynamics. The garden trellis behind the two figures provides verticality to the photograph, however it is off set to the left creating further tension. The photograph uses a simple arrangement, which creates a space to explore broader socio-political questions. This photograph functions as a historical artifact that reflects the complexities and power dynamics inherent in cross-cultural encounters.