Het Personeel der Boekit-Asam Steenkolenmijnen. 8 Januari 1922 1922

This photograph, taken on January 8, 1922, captures the staff of the Boekit-Asam coal mines. The men, dressed predominantly in white, are arranged in a hierarchical tableau. Consider the color white. In the West, it signifies purity and cleanliness, yet here, in the context of colonial Indonesia, it manifests a stark visual divide. White becomes a marker of authority, contrasting sharply with the obscured presence of the local workforce, who are undoubtedly excluded from this portrait of power. This echoes the ancient Roman use of white togas to distinguish citizens, a symbol of dominance and control. The arrangement of figures, too, speaks volumes. The seated figures form a solid base, while those standing behind them oversee the scene, reminiscent of Renaissance family portraits designed to project strength and stability. The image resonates with a silent assertion of control, reflecting the complex interplay of power, identity, and representation deeply embedded within the visual symbols of colonialism. This image evokes a profound sense of the past, one that continues to shape our understanding of the present.