Park met wandelaars in Singapore c. 1870 - 1900

This albumen print of a park with walkers in Singapore was made by G.R. Lambert & Co. The image captures the Esplanade, likely in the late 19th century when Singapore was under British colonial rule. Note the carefully manicured lawn and the presence of the walkers who suggests leisure time, reflecting a social order where such recreational spaces were likely enjoyed by the European colonizers and a select local elite. The very act of photographing Singapore through the eyes of a European company speaks to a broader project of colonial documentation and control. Images like these served to portray the colony in ways that reinforced imperial narratives. Historical archives and postcolonial studies can further illuminate the power dynamics inherent in such imagery. Through this we can understand the role of visual culture in shaping perceptions and perpetuating unequal power structures.