Portret van twee onbekende actrices uit Bangkok c. 1860 - 1890

Wilhelm Burger made this albumen print, “Portret van twee onbekende actrices uit Bangkok”, sometime in the late 19th century. In this carefully posed image, we see two performers adorned in elaborate costumes and headdresses, likely part of a traditional Siamese theatrical performance. The photograph provides a glimpse into the cultural landscape of Siam, now Thailand, during a period of significant social and political change. Photography in 19th-century Siam, like many non-Western countries, often served colonial or commercial interests. Images like this were frequently produced for Western audiences, exoticizing local cultures and reinforcing power dynamics. While Burger's intentions are not entirely clear, as historians we can examine how this image participates in the broader visual economy of its time. We could also research the history of Siamese theatre, performance traditions, and the role of women in these artistic forms, to shed further light on the photograph's social and cultural context.