Basreliëf met Rukmini's bruiloft, afgebeeld aan de zuidzijde in Candi Panataran Possibly 1867

This photograph by Isidore Kinsbergen captures a bas-relief depicting Rukmini's wedding on the south side of Candi Panataran. Kinsbergen, working in the Dutch East Indies, documented the archipelago's cultural heritage. Here, the visual codes tell a story of cultural exchange. The temple itself, Candi Panataran, was a significant religious site in Java, with construction spanning several centuries. The bas-reliefs, like this one of Rukmini’s wedding, are rich in local symbolism and Hindu-Buddhist influences. Kinsbergen’s photograph becomes a crucial artifact as this area and this temple were under Dutch colonial rule. His work provided Europeans with access to Javanese culture, influencing perceptions of the region. Understanding this image means studying colonial archives, archaeological reports, and religious texts. Art here is contingent on social relations, a testament to cultural synthesis and colonial dynamics.