Gezicht op een koraalrif met pocilloporakoraal bij Suva before 1899

This image shows a coral reef with pocillopora coral near Suva, and was created by W. McM. Woodworth. The image offers a glimpse into the ecological landscape of Fiji, likely produced during a period of increasing scientific exploration and colonial interest in the region. Its creation would have been influenced by broader social and economic structures such as academic institutions, colonial administrations, and publishing houses. The image functions as a visual record of the Fijian coral reefs but it also served the scientific community and those interested in the natural resources of Fiji. Understanding the broader social and institutional context behind this image requires delving into the history of scientific expeditions, colonial policies, and environmental studies of the time, using archives of scientific institutions, travel literature, and colonial records. By viewing this image as a product of its time, we can appreciate how the meaning of art is deeply rooted in its historical, social, and institutional environment.