De suikerfabriek Ponen 1876 - 1884

Herman Salzwedel made this photograph titled 'De suikerfabriek Ponen', which translates to 'The Ponen Sugar Factory'. What we have here is a carefully composed image. It depicts a sugar factory, likely located in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, during a period of intense colonial activity. The factory sits prominently on the horizon, its industrial architecture juxtaposed against the natural landscape. The placid water in the foreground acts as a mirror, reflecting the factory and its surroundings, creating a sense of scale and perhaps even a commentary on the relationship between industry and nature. During this period, sugar production was a significant economic activity tied to colonial exploitation. Images like these, found in institutional collections and historical archives, help us understand the complex social and economic structures of the time. By studying archival documents and historical accounts, we can gain a deeper insight into the colonial conditions that shaped both the landscape and the lives of those who lived and worked there.