[Studio Portrait: Woman Seated Beside a Table, Singapore] 1870s

This albumen print of a woman seated beside a table was produced in Singapore by G. R. Lambert & Co., a photographic studio active in the late 19th century. What can we read in this image of a woman in colonial Singapore? Photographic studios such as this one played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of local populations for both European colonizers and local elites. The woman's attire and jewelry suggest a certain level of affluence. The table is adorned with what appears to be a wine bottle and glass, objects associated with European culture and luxury. This juxtaposition of local subject and foreign objects invites questions about cultural exchange, class, and the performance of identity in a colonial context. Understanding this photograph requires delving into the social and economic history of Singapore, examining archival materials, and exploring the visual codes employed by colonial-era photographers. By doing so, we can begin to understand the complex interplay of power, representation, and identity in this historical image.