Goudsmid aan het werk in Delhi before 1869

Shepherd and Robertson produced this photograph of a goldsmith at work in Delhi. The image offers us an insight into the social conditions and labor practices of 19th-century India under British colonial rule. The photograph invites us to consider the politics of imagery during this period. Note how the composition isolates the goldsmith within an oval frame, presenting him as an exoticized, almost ethnographic subject for the Western gaze. How does this portrayal reinforce colonial power dynamics? The photograph's formal qualities, such as its sepia tones and staged composition, further contribute to its construction of a specific narrative about Indian craftsmanship. Understanding the photograph’s meaning requires a thorough investigation of its historical context. By examining archival materials, colonial records, and accounts from the period, we can uncover the complex social, economic, and political forces that shaped its creation and reception. Ultimately, our interpretation of this photograph is contingent on our awareness of the social and institutional context in which it was produced.