Gezicht op Singapore 1867 - 1880

This albumen print of Singapore was created by G.R. Lambert & Co., a photographic studio active in Singapore and the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. The image offers a glimpse into the colonial landscape of Singapore, likely taken in the late 19th century when the city was a bustling hub of British trade. We see a church spire dominating the skyline, symbolizing the spread of Christianity and Western influence in the East. European architectural styles juxtapose with the tropical flora, underscoring a sense of cultural imposition. The very act of photographing and circulating such images served to promote a particular colonial narrative, one of progress and civilization brought to a foreign land. Looking at photographs such as this, we can learn a great deal about the social and political meanings inscribed in the urban environment. We might consult archival records, travel accounts, and colonial administrative documents to understand the role of photography in shaping perceptions and power dynamics of that time. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum.