Portret van een onbekende vrouw uit Manipur before 1868

This photographic print of an unknown woman from Manipur was made by Benjamin Simpson sometime in the 19th century. Photography as a medium is inextricably linked to modes of production, as each print is an iterative copy, and the making of photographs demanded specialized labor, from the production of cameras and chemicals, to the operation of photographic studios. The image is haunting in its stark simplicity; the woman’s gaze is direct and challenging, as she wears a draped shawl. The photograph is a social document, capturing a particular moment in time. However, it’s important to remember that the photographer held power in that moment. The labor of the sitter, in this case, is in posing and presentation. The image, in turn, could be used to reinforce or undermine colonial narratives about race, gender, and power. Ultimately, this image is a reminder that the materials, making, and context of an artwork are essential to understanding its full meaning, and to challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.