Gezicht op verschillende graven, waaronder die van Generaal van Ham en Luitenant Musquetier before 1897

Christiaan Johan Neeb made this photograph of graves, including those of General van Ham and Lieutenant Musquetier. The image speaks to the ways in which colonial power structures were visually reinforced and memorialized. Consider the date of the image, likely late 19th or early 20th century, a time of intense Dutch colonial activity in what is now Indonesia. The prominent placement of the graves of military figures speaks volumes about the values of colonial society, emphasizing military achievement and the maintenance of order. These graves, likely located in a Dutch cemetery in the colony, served as a constant reminder of the colonizer's presence and authority. The photograph is a valuable historical document, offering insights into how the Dutch colonial project presented and perpetuated itself. By examining such images and understanding their cultural context, we can better understand the complex legacy of colonialism. Research into colonial archives and historical records can help us understand better the function and significance of images like this.