Gezicht op de rijtjes ingezaaide bomen bij Soengei Dirki Sumatra (Saatbaüme Soengei Dirki) c. 1890 - 1900

This photograph by Stafhell & Kleingrothe captures a view of planted trees near Soengei Dirki in Sumatra. The scene is presented in a somewhat muted palette, heightening the density of the landscape. The orderly planting of the trees creates a structured, almost grid-like pattern that dominates the composition. This ordered arrangement contrasts with the wild, organic nature of the foliage itself, presenting a compelling tension between control and nature. The subdued tones and careful composition might evoke a sense of the sublime found in the detailed representation of an expansive, cultivated landscape. The image destabilizes traditional landscape photography by focusing on the repetitive, almost industrial aspect of agriculture. By emphasizing the ordered rows and seemingly endless expanse, the photographers invite us to consider the impact of human intervention on the natural world. This photograph functions as both an aesthetic observation and a commentary on landscape and human interaction.