Nederlandse gezin Bergsma en Indonesische man in auto op Sumatra, hond op de treeplank 1914 - 1926

This photographic print, made by an anonymous photographer, captures a Dutch family and an Indonesian man in a car in Sumatra. The gelatin silver print process was a cutting-edge technology at the time, allowing for mass reproduction and dissemination of images, reflecting the rise of industrial capitalism. What is striking is the materiality of the scene itself. The car, a product of industrial manufacturing, symbolizes modernity and progress. Its presence in Sumatra highlights the colonial context, where European powers extracted resources and labor from the local population. The Indonesian man, likely employed by the family, stands in stark contrast to the Dutch family, embodying the social hierarchy and power dynamics of the colonial era. The photograph thus becomes a material record of a specific historical moment, laden with political implications. Understanding the photograph requires recognizing the power dynamics embedded in its creation. It challenges the notion of photography as mere documentation, revealing its role in shaping and perpetuating colonial narratives.