Hoofdgebouw van het tempelcomplex van Wat Pra Keo (Tempel van de Smaragdgroene Boeddha) in Bangkok c. 1870 - 1900

This is a photograph of the main building of Wat Pra Keo, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, taken by G.R. Lambert & Co. The photograph captures more than just a building; it speaks to the intertwined narratives of power, religion, and cultural identity. Wat Pra Keo is a potent symbol of Thai sovereignty and Theravada Buddhism. Consider the socio-political backdrop against which this image was made. As Western powers exerted their influence across Southeast Asia, photography became a tool for both documentation and asserting dominance. This image highlights the cultural richness of Thailand, but it also subtly engages with the colonial gaze, inviting viewers to contemplate the complex dynamics between observer and observed. What stories do you think this photograph holds?