Leden van de groep van Pawnee Bill op de Wereldtentoonstelling van Antwerpen in 1894 1894

This photograph by Charles Bernhoeft captures members of Pawnee Bill's Wild West show at the Antwerp World's Fair in 1894. Bernhoeft's choice of photography, a relatively new medium at the time, speaks volumes. Photography, unlike painting or sculpture, possesses an inherent indexicality; it is a direct trace of the subject. This lends a veneer of authenticity, a sense of "being there," to images. Yet, this image also reveals the complexities of representation. The subjects, likely Native Americans employed by Pawnee Bill, are presented as exotic attractions. The image becomes part of a larger spectacle, reinforcing colonial power dynamics. Consider the labor involved, from the photographer setting up his equipment to the performers enacting their roles. This photograph is a potent reminder of how images can both document and distort, shaping our understanding of history and culture.