Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara displaying the varadanudra, probably from Candi Plaosan. Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta district, D.I, Yogyakarta province, 9th century. Possibly 1865 - 1867

This photograph by Isidore Kinsbergen captures a sculpture, likely from Candi Plaosan in Yogyakarta, dating back to the 9th century. Kinsbergen, a Dutch photographer, documented Indonesia during a period of Dutch colonialism. Here we see the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, a figure embodying compassion, displaying the varadanudra, a gesture of giving. The photograph invites us to consider how religious iconography intersects with colonial history. The very act of photographing and documenting this sculpture is a testament to the power dynamics at play. Kinsbergen's lens captures not just the physical attributes of the sculpture but also hints at the complex narratives of cultural exchange and appropriation inherent in the colonial context. The image stands as a reminder of the intertwined histories of spirituality, colonialism, and representation, urging us to reflect on the ways in which cultural artifacts become entangled with broader socio-political forces.