Man uit Nederlands-Indië met pajong (parasol) c. 1898

Nicolaas van der Waay sketched this man from the Dutch East Indies with a parasol. This drawing invites us to think about the relationship between the Netherlands and its colony, now Indonesia. Van der Waay, a Dutch artist, captures the image of a local man, likely commissioned during his travels. The parasol, or "pajong," is not merely a functional object but also a symbol of status and power within Indonesian society. Consider the power dynamics at play. The Dutch colonial presence profoundly impacted the social structures of the East Indies, influencing everything from governance to artistic representation. The very act of sketching this man becomes a commentary on the gaze of the colonizer. To fully appreciate such historical works, researchers consult archival documents, travelogues, and colonial records. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional contexts.