Lossen van de Soerabaja c. 1900 - 1922

"Lossen van de Soerabaja" is a stereoscopic photograph created by Robert Julius Boers sometime between 1900 and 1922, and currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The image captures the moment of the unloading of a ship in the harbor of Surabaya, Indonesia, during the Dutch colonial period. The two photographs, when viewed through a stereoscope, give a three-dimensional effect, allowing the viewer to experience the scene as if they were present. This type of photography was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and provided a way for people to experience far-off places without actually traveling. Boers' photograph offers a glimpse into the bustling port city of Surabaya and the colonial activities that took place there.