Achterzijde van het gebouw van Rathkamp & Co. 1914 - 1919

This photograph depicts the rear of the Rathkamp & Co. building and was taken in an unknown place at an unknown date. The image reveals a blend of European architectural styles adapted to a tropical setting, probably somewhere in the Dutch East Indies. The elevated structure with a broad veranda reflects colonial adaptations to climate and social hierarchy, where raised platforms provided ventilation and asserted a visual dominance. Rathkamp & Co. was likely a commercial enterprise, perhaps involved in the trade of goods like coffee, sugar, or spices, which were the backbone of the colonial economy. The presence of a bicycle suggests a moment in the early 20th century, when modern transportation began to intersect with colonial life. To fully understand this image, we would need to delve into archives that document the business activities of Rathkamp & Co., and the urban development plans of cities in the Dutch East Indies. This would reveal more about the politics of imagery during the colonial era.