Koffie-etablissement 'Greahan' (boven) en koffiesorteersters in een schuur (onder) op Sumatra before 1898

Carl Kleingrothe made this print of a Sumatran coffee establishment, showing both the colonial administration and the local workers. The upper image shows the plantation buildings nestled in the landscape, symbolizing colonial control over resources. Below, the regimented rows of women sorting coffee beans reveal the human labor that fueled the Dutch economy. This piece offers a glimpse into the complex social and economic structures of the Dutch East Indies. Sumatra, with its fertile lands, became a crucial site for coffee production under Dutch rule. The image, therefore, isn't just a depiction of labor; it's a document reflecting colonial power dynamics and the exploitation of local labor. Art historians might look into archival records such as colonial administrative documents, economic reports, and personal accounts from the period to shed light on the broader context in which this image was made. It reminds us that art often serves as a window into the social conditions of its time.