Album van de Banda Eilanden en de Borobúdur op Java 1875 - 1880

This is the cover of “Album van de Banda Eilanden en de Borobúdur op Java,” or Album of the Banda Islands and Borobudur in Java, by the photographer C. Dietrich. This album offers us a lens into the Dutch colonial presence in Indonesia. During the 19th century, photography became a tool for colonial powers to document and, in a sense, possess the landscapes and people of their colonies. This album reflects that dynamic, showcasing Dietrich’s perspective on the Banda Islands, known for their spice trade, and Borobudur, a significant Buddhist monument. Consider the power dynamics inherent in these images. Who is behind the camera? Whose stories are being told and whose are being left out? While Dietrich's photographs might capture the visual beauty of these places, they also reveal the selective gaze of a colonizer. It’s a reminder of how photography can both reveal and conceal, shaping perceptions and perpetuating historical narratives.