Portret van een Indiase man met een ladder te Singapore 1867 - 1880

This is a photograph of an Indian man with a ladder in Singapore, created by G.R. Lambert & Co. Photographs like this were often produced as ethnographic studies during the colonial era. This image encapsulates the complex social dynamics of Singapore, a British colony with a diverse population, including Indian laborers. The man's attire and the presence of the ladder – suggesting a trade or service role – speak to his position within the colonial economy. The photograph's composition, with its emphasis on the individual, can be read as an effort to document and classify the various ethnic groups present in Singapore. However, it also raises questions about representation and power. Who is taking the photograph, and for what purpose? What does it mean to turn an individual into a specimen of their race or class? Further research into the history of photography in colonial Singapore, as well as the economic and social conditions of Indian laborers, will help us to better understand the meanings embodied in this image.