Kruidenier 1900 - 1922

Robert Julius Boers made this stereograph, “Kruidenier,” using a photographic process. The albumen print is a specific process of chemical baths used in the mid-19th century in the context of Dutch colonialism. The composition presents a shop, likely in the Dutch East Indies, where one person works while several children stand around. The photograph focuses on a material reality, recording the material and social conditions of this location during a specific time. Consider how the image documents the realities of labor, trade, and consumerism within this colonial framework. Boers’ work emphasizes the role of photography as a tool for both representation and documentation, providing a glimpse into the economic activities, social interactions, and material culture of that society. Paying attention to materials, methods, and historical context enriches our understanding of the photograph.