Exterieur van het administrateurshuis van de plantage Soengei Krio op Sumatra before 1898

Carl J. Kleingrothe made this photograph of the exterior of the administrator's house on the Soengei Krio plantation in Sumatra. This image offers a glimpse into the social hierarchy of colonial Indonesia, likely produced at the height of Dutch colonial power. The architecture of the administrator's house blends European styles with local adaptations, reflecting the cultural dominance of the colonizers alongside the practical considerations of living in a tropical climate. Note the manicured lawns and statue, visual markers of wealth, power, and the imposition of European aesthetic values on the landscape. The plantation system itself was a key economic structure underpinning colonial rule, built on the exploitation of local labor and resources. To truly understand this photograph, we need to delve into the archives, exploring plantation records, colonial administrative documents, and the personal accounts of those who lived and worked on Soengei Krio. Such research reveals the complex social dynamics and power imbalances that shaped everyday life in colonial Indonesia.