Plantage Accaribo 1913 - 1930

Theodoor Brouwers created this stereo view photograph, called Plantage Accaribo, on glass, during a period when the Dutch colonial empire was still a significant global power. At first glance, the photograph presents a serene image: a woman stands in a tropical plantation framed by tall trees. On closer inspection, this image evokes a complex web of colonial history and power dynamics. The plantation setting is deeply intertwined with the history of exploitation, labor, and the extraction of resources from colonized lands. The woman in the photograph, while seemingly innocent, embodies the complex role of Europeans in these colonial settings; perhaps representing the presence and authority of the colonizer. Brouwers invites us to consider the narratives and power dynamics embedded within seemingly benign landscapes. It challenges us to reflect on the legacy of colonialism. It asks us to confront the emotional and personal dimensions of a history that continues to shape our world.