Gezicht op de Sandelbrug in de Wampoe rivier, Tandjong Poera, Langkat Sumatra c. 1890 - 1900

This albumen print shows the Sandelbrug, or Sandel Bridge, over the Wampoe River in Tandjong Poera, Langkat, Sumatra. It was produced by the photographic firm of Heinrich Ernst & Co. The image speaks to the economic structures of the time. In the late 19th century, Sumatra was under Dutch colonial rule, and the landscape was being transformed by the expansion of plantation agriculture, particularly tobacco, rubber, and palm oil. This bridge would likely have been constructed to facilitate the transport of goods and people related to these industries. We can see evidence of this transformation in the built environment along the riverbanks, contrasting with the natural, tropical setting. The boat in the foreground might be transporting goods or people to and from the plantations. To understand this image fully, it’s crucial to look at the archives of colonial administrations and trading companies, as well as local histories. Art provides a visual entry point into understanding the economic and social transformations of the time.