De dames Curiel aan het werk bij het Gouvernementspaleis in Paramaribo c. 1904 - 1937

This photograph captures the Curiel sisters at work near the Governor's Palace in Paramaribo, likely around the turn of the 20th century. Though anonymous, the photographer offers a glimpse into the colonial society of Suriname. The image presents a study in contrasts. We see the imposing architecture of the Governor's Palace, a symbol of Dutch colonial power, juxtaposed with the figures of the Curiel sisters and the crowd gathered before them. The women's clothing suggest a population of mixed European and African heritage, navigating the complex social hierarchy of the colony. The Curiel sisters themselves were successful businesswomen. Their presence here points to the economic and social agency some women were able to achieve, even within the confines of a colonial system. To fully understand this photograph, we must look to sources beyond the image itself. By researching the history of Suriname, the Dutch colonial administration, and the lives of people of color in Paramaribo, we can begin to unpack the complex social dynamics captured in this single frame.