Gezicht op de haven te Singapore 1867 - 1880

This view of the Singapore harbor was captured by G.R. Lambert & Co. using photographic techniques, likely sometime in the late 19th century. Photography during this period involved a range of materials and processes, from the preparation of glass plates with light-sensitive emulsions to the development and printing of images using chemical solutions. What we see here has a direct relationship to the modes of production and capitalism, evident in the documentation of Singapore's bustling harbor. The image captures the intense labor and social activity concentrated in the harbor, which was a crucial node in global trade networks. The repetitive architecture of the buildings, the myriad boats crowding the water, and the implied presence of countless workers all speak to the scale and intensity of economic activity during this period. By understanding the photographic process and its historical context, we can appreciate how this image not only represents a specific place, but also embodies the complex dynamics of labor, trade, and colonial expansion of that era, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.