Landschap met sawah, voormalig Nederlands-Indië c. 1890 - 1911

Onnes Kurkdjian produced this photograph of a landscape with rice fields in the former Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, in the late 19th century. It depicts a serene vista, yet understanding its full meaning requires considering the socio-political context of the time. The Dutch East Indies was a colony exploited for its resources, including rice. This image, while seemingly benign, subtly promotes the colonial project by presenting an idealized view of the landscape, minimizing the social disruption caused by colonial rule. The composition, with its neatly arranged rice paddies, implies order and control, reinforcing the colonizer's narrative of progress and civilization. To fully grasp the politics of this imagery, research into colonial archives, travelogues, and the history of Dutch East India Company may reveal the complex power dynamics at play. By examining these sources, we recognize that art is deeply embedded in its historical context.