Fabriek Soeka Sarie 1861 1863 - 1869

Woodbury & Page captured the "Fabriek Soeka Sarie" in 1861, using a photographic process that renders the scene in tones of grey, lending it a stark, documentary feel. The factory building dominates the composition with its strong horizontal lines, and the adjacent vertical chimneys create a dynamic interplay of shapes. The stark contrast between the building and the surrounding landscape creates a visual hierarchy that emphasizes the factory's role in the landscape. The figures scattered across the foreground provide a sense of scale, their placement seemingly random, yet subtly guiding the viewer's eye. The tall mast further punctuates the composition, acting as a visual anchor that draws the eye upward. This calculated use of space and form underscores the factory as a place of industry and labor, reflecting the colonial dynamics of the time. The photograph's formal qualities reveal not just a building, but a statement about power, production, and the colonial gaze. It invites us to interpret how the scene is framed and what it means to see this factory through the lens of 1861.