S. M. Norodon, Roi du Cambodge 1866

This is a photographic portrait of S. M. Norodom, King of Cambodia, made by Emile Gsell. As a commercial photographer working in Southeast Asia, Gsell’s photographs helped establish the cultural idea of French Indochina. Norodom was initially placed on the throne by Siam, now Thailand, but he later signed a treaty with France to establish a protectorate, which helped him retain power and protect Cambodia from Siam and Vietnam. In this light, the image presents Norodom as a modern, Europeanized leader through its composition and the photographic medium itself, which was associated with Western technology and progress. Norodom’s attire, a blend of traditional Cambodian and European military dress, further emphasizes this intersection of cultures. To fully understand this photograph, it’s crucial to consider the context of French colonialism and its impact on Cambodian identity and governance. Historical archives, colonial records, and studies of French Indochina can reveal the complex power dynamics at play in this image.