Boulders at Vijayanagar before 1893

Editor: This is a photograph, "Boulders at Vijayanagar," taken before 1893 by an anonymous photographer, currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. I'm struck by how such a stark landscape evokes a sense of timelessness. What draws your attention when you look at it? Curator: For me, it’s about how this image participates in a larger colonial project of representing and understanding India. Landscape photography like this wasn’t just about aesthetics. It actively constructed a particular vision of the land, often for a Western audience. The photograph naturalizes the place in support of an imperial narrative. Editor: So, you’re saying it's less about capturing the scene objectively and more about framing it in a specific context? Curator: Precisely. Consider the photographer's choice of subject matter – these ancient boulders. How might this imagery be read through the lens of British rule and its impact on existing power dynamics? The photograph visualizes an ancient landmark of Vijayanagar, that could have bolstered certain imperial and colonial goals. It's about claiming a historical narrative and how this photographic representation contributes to the political landscape of the time. Do you see how a photograph is more than an accurate portrayal of an event? Editor: It makes sense now. By choosing this landscape, they could connect it to narratives of power and history. I hadn't considered how photography was not neutral in a colonial context. I will consider that. Curator: Exactly, it urges us to critically assess whose stories are being told and how the image reflects larger structures of power. I have learned, too, about new perspective. Editor: Thank you. This will completely change the way I will now look at not just photography but landscape works.