Portret van twee mannen van de Ngbandi 1896

Franz Thonner created this photographic portrait of two men of the Ngbandi people using black and white photography. The composition presents two figures positioned closely together, their bodies nearly parallel, which creates a sense of structured symmetry, yet this is disrupted by subtle variations in their stance and adornments. The men's arms are crossed, a visual barrier perhaps, that lends a formal, almost rigid quality to the image. The fabric draped around their waists introduces texture and a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The use of black and white flattens the image, emphasizing form and texture over depth and color. The figures are presented against a stark, neutral background, which removes any contextual information about their environment, focusing the viewer's attention solely on their physical presence. This constructed image raises questions about representation, power dynamics, and the gaze of the colonizer. It highlights the photograph's role as both a document and an interpretation of the subjects it depicts.