Portret van generaal J.L.J.H. Pel, bevelhebber van Atjeh before 1876

This is a photographic print of General J.L.J.H. Pel, commander of Aceh, by an anonymous photographer. This albumen print visualizes power dynamics of the Dutch colonial regime. Pel, the military commander, had a crucial role in the colonial war in Aceh, now a province of Indonesia. It’s vital to consider this image in relation to the broader history of Dutch colonialism, the Aceh War (1873-1904), and the institutionalization of military power. The photograph is not merely a neutral depiction of an individual; it's a political statement that reinforces colonial authority and the power structures of the time. To fully understand the significance of this work, we need to turn to archival materials, historical accounts, and postcolonial studies. These help us understand not only the figure of General Pel, but also the devastating effects of Dutch colonial rule in Aceh.