Portret van een man 1860 - 1880

This portrait of a man was produced by Woodbury & Page, using the carte de visite format, popular in the mid-19th century. These small, easily reproduced photographs democratized portraiture, making it accessible beyond the elite. Woodbury & Page operated in colonial Indonesia, which infuses this image with complex layers of cultural exchange and power dynamics. The subject's Western attire and the photographic style reflect colonial influences, yet his features hint at a local Indonesian identity. Consider the sitter's gaze. Does it convey a sense of agency, or does it reflect the objectification inherent in colonial portraiture? These photographs often served as anthropological records. They perpetuated stereotypes, and reinforced the colonial gaze. Ultimately, this portrait invites us to reflect on the power of representation and the intertwined histories of colonialism, identity, and photography. What does it mean to have your image captured and disseminated within a system of power?