Portret van een man, aangeduid als J.C. Sweys 1857 - 1908

This photographic portrait of a man thought to be J.C. Sweys was made by Woodbury & Page. The photographic studio of Woodbury & Page gives us some clues about the social context for this image. They were active in the Dutch East Indies – modern Indonesia – from around 1857. It's likely this image was made there. Woodbury & Page documented colonial society; their images were often used as calling cards or displayed in homes, reinforcing social hierarchies. This portrait is an example of how photography was used to construct and maintain social identities in colonial contexts. The subject's European dress and carefully groomed appearance reflect the values of the colonial elite, while the act of commissioning a portrait from a European-owned studio speaks to his social standing. To understand this image further, we might consult archives of colonial photography, studies of Dutch colonial history, or even genealogical records related to J.C. Sweys. These resources could reveal more about the sitter's position within the complex social fabric of the Dutch East Indies.