Portret van twee leden van de Ngbandi-stam 1896

Franz Thonner made this photograph, ‘Portrait of two members of the Ngbandi tribe’ sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is a striking image that reflects the social and cultural context of its time. The photograph, taken during a period of European colonialism in Africa, presents two members of the Ngbandi tribe. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations tied to colonialism. The composition and pose of the subjects might reflect the photographer's, and by extension Europe’s, perception and representation of African people. It’s important to consider how the photograph may perpetuate power dynamics and stereotypes. To fully understand this artwork, it's crucial to delve into the history of colonialism, the social structures of the Ngbandi tribe, and the photographer's background and intentions. Researching colonial archives, anthropological studies, and the history of photography can provide valuable insights. Art, in this context, serves as a historical document that reflects the complex relationship between the colonizer and the colonized.