Europeaanse mensen in Semarang, links onder Lily Rusterworth [?] 1913

This is a photograph of European people in Semarang, of which one is believed to be Lily Rusterworth. The photo’s composition is structured as an album page, where four photographic moments in Semarang are arranged to create a spatial and thematic interplay. Each photograph is a window into a moment, capturing scenes of leisure and group activity. The stark contrast between light and shadow defines the visual field, highlighting the figures and imbuing the scenes with a sense of depth. The grainy texture and monochrome palette contribute to the photograph's documentary feel, yet also hints at the distance – both temporal and cultural. The photograph doesn't merely capture a scene; it constructs a narrative about colonialism, class, and the act of seeing itself. It is through formal analysis that the photograph’s enduring power is fully realised, provoking questions about representation, memory, and the gaze.