Portret van Youda Negara, Prins van Djoejocarta c. 1851 - 1883

This is an undated portrait of Youda Negara, Prince of Djoejocarta, made by Johan Hendrik Hoffmeister. The image speaks volumes about the complex social dynamics of the Dutch East Indies. Here, a member of Javanese royalty is portrayed through the lens of European artistic conventions. Notice how Prince Youda Negara is dressed in a uniform that blends indigenous and European military styles, a visual metaphor for the intertwined power structures of the time. This lithograph was likely commissioned by the Dutch colonial administration. It acted as a tool for representing and understanding the local rulers within their sphere of influence. Understanding this image requires delving into the archives. We need to explore Dutch colonial records, Javanese court histories, and the biographies of artists like Hoffmeister to understand how these visual representations reinforced or challenged the colonial order.