Stone scultures from east Java exhibited at the Botanical Gardens in Bogor: deification statue in the form of the godess Parvati; Nandi, male deification statue and Ganesha. Bogor, Bogor district, West Java province 13th-14th century. Possibly 1863 - 1864

Isidore Kinsbergen captured this image of stone sculptures from East Java in the 19th century, showcasing deification statues of Parvati, Nandi, and Ganesha within the Bogor Botanical Gardens. Kinsbergen, a Dutch photographer, documented Indonesia during a period of intense colonial engagement. The sculptures, dating back to the 13th-14th century, reflect the cultural and religious syncretism of the time, blending indigenous beliefs with Hindu-Buddhist influences. Each figure embodies unique aspects of divinity. Parvati symbolizes feminine power, Nandi represents virility, and Ganesha, with his elephant head, embodies wisdom. Taken by a colonizer, the photograph raises complex questions about representation, power, and cultural preservation. It invites us to consider how these sculptures were perceived through a colonial gaze, and what stories may have been missed or silenced in the process.