Gezicht op de zaaivelden met rijpe tabaksplanten op de Rotterdam Estate, Sumatra (Reifer Taback Rotterdam Estate) c. 1890 - 1900

This photograph shows a view of tobacco fields at the Rotterdam Estate in Sumatra, taken by Carl J. Kleingrothe. It offers a glimpse into the colonial landscape of the Dutch East Indies. These plantations were built on the exploitation of land and labor, primarily that of Indonesian workers, under harsh conditions. The vast expanse of tobacco plants speaks to the scale of the operation and the economic interests driving Dutch colonialism. The Rotterdam Estate, like others in Sumatra, profited from the global demand for tobacco. This demand obscured the human cost of production, as the well-being of local populations was often disregarded in favor of maximizing output and profit. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the intertwined histories of colonialism, labor, and global commerce. The serene landscape belies the underlying exploitation and the enduring legacies of colonial rule.