Batavia - Privaathuis op Cramat (Mr. Pattijn. 1863 - 1866

Editor: This albumen print, taken by Woodbury & Page between 1863 and 1866, is titled "Batavia - Privaathuis op Cramat (Mr. Pattijn.)" and shows a stately house in what is now Jakarta. I’m struck by the composition, especially how the dark trees on either side frame the brightly lit building. What formal qualities stand out to you? Curator: The interplay of light and shadow is indeed crucial. Notice how the photographers have positioned the camera to capture the maximum amount of reflected light from the white façade. This directs our eye immediately to the horizontal emphasis of the veranda supported by classical columns. Do you observe how these elements create a sense of balanced order? Editor: Yes, there's a definite horizontal emphasis created by the architecture. But the figures populating the veranda seem almost randomly placed. How do they function within the overall composition? Curator: Their arrangement may seem informal, yet they punctuate the horizontal line, adding a sense of depth. More importantly, they offer scale, providing a sense of the house's imposing size and volume within the frame. Note, also, how the carefully manicured lawn provides a neutral foreground that pushes the main structure forward. Editor: I hadn't considered the role of the lawn in defining space, but I see what you mean about how the veranda becomes a stage. Thanks, looking at the photo formally like this is helpful. Curator: Focusing on form allows us to uncover the conscious choices the photographers made in constructing this particular image. Indeed, close attention to composition is always rewarding.