Schoolkinderen 1900 - 1922

This stereograph, by Robert Julius Boers, captures a street scene, likely in the Dutch East Indies, rendered through the photographic process. Photography, emerging as a relatively accessible medium in the late 19th century, relied on specific chemical processes to capture light and create images. Here, the choice of black and white film emphasizes the stark social contrasts of the colonial context. Look closely, and you'll see uniformed children, possibly attending a school established by Dutch colonizers. The image isn't just a representation of a place, but also an artifact produced by specific materials, tools, and distribution networks. The stereograph format, designed for viewing with a special device to create a three-dimensional effect, was a popular form of entertainment and education. It allowed viewers to experience faraway places, but often through a lens of colonial power and control. Understanding the materials and the making of this photograph helps us to consider the social and cultural forces at play during the time it was produced.