Leprozenkolonie Danaradja: slachtvee en gebouwen 1922

This photograph shows a leper colony called Danaradja, with cattle and buildings, and was made by an anonymous photographer. This image invites us to consider the social role of photography in the creation of public health policy. The photograph likely originates from the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, during a period of colonial rule, revealing aspects of the institutional treatment of leprosy. Public health initiatives during this era often intertwined with colonial power structures. Images like this one could function to document colonial efforts but also to reinforce power dynamics by visually othering those afflicted with the disease. Careful historical research into colonial archives, medical records, and other visual materials can shed light on the complex relationship between health, power, and representation. Approaching this image with an understanding of its historical context helps reveal the institutional forces at play, and their impact on marginalized communities.