Werkzaamheden in een droogschuur voor tabak op Sumatra: het aanrijgen van de bladen (boven), het bundelen (midden), schuurinterieur (onder) before 1898

This print by Carl J. Kleingrothe captures scenes of tobacco processing in Sumatra, using a monochromatic palette that emphasizes form and structure. The composition is divided into three distinct sections, each presenting a different stage of production. This triptych-like arrangement isn't merely a record; it's a structured commentary on labor and industry. Kleingrothe uses linear perspective to draw the eye deep into each scene, creating spaces defined by repetitive architectural elements and the human figures within them. The grainy texture evokes a sense of the gritty realities of colonial labor, hinting at the systematized processes at play. The visual organization, with its clear demarcation of space and activity, reflects a semiotic structure where each component signifies a part of the larger industrial operation. This organized layout, however, also subtly questions the human cost, inviting us to consider the power dynamics inherent in such systems.