Oostzijde van de Brahmatempel van het Prambanan-tempelcomplex 1889 - 1890

Kassian Cephas made this photograph of the east side of the Brahma temple of the Prambanan temple complex. The print showcases the temple’s stone construction, each block carefully hewn and fitted. The rough texture of the weathered stone, the weight of each component, and the sheer scale of the structure speak to the immense labor involved in its creation. The intricate carvings, barely visible, suggest the skilled craftsmanship of generations past. Photography itself was still a relatively new technology at this time. Cephas, as a Javanese photographer, was at the forefront of documenting his own cultural heritage. The act of photographing, printing, and disseminating images was a new kind of labor, tied to both artistic expression and burgeoning colonial structures. Ultimately, this photograph prompts us to consider not only the artistry of the original temple builders, but also the role of photography in preserving and interpreting cultural landmarks. It's a testament to the enduring power of both stone and image.