Delhi, the Observatory of Rajah Jey Singh 1863 - 1866

Editor: This photograph, "Delhi, the Observatory of Rajah Jey Singh," by Samuel Bourne, shows impressive architectural ruins. It feels imposing, yet there's an emptiness. What's the story behind Bourne photographing this observatory? Curator: Bourne’s work operates within the colonial gaze, doesn't it? Consider how this image might frame India's scientific achievements for a Western audience. Is it celebrating or appropriating? Think about the power dynamics at play when a British photographer captures these structures. Editor: So, it's less about the science and more about the statement being made by a Westerner in India? Curator: Exactly. The photograph becomes a document embedded in a history of colonialism, prompting us to ask: Whose narrative is being centered here, and at what cost? Editor: That shifts my perspective entirely. I initially saw an interesting historical document, but now I see a layered representation of power and cultural exchange.