Meisje spelend op een xylofoon 1880

This albumen print, titled "Meisje spelend op een xylofoon", was created by Woodbury & Page. During the colonial era, photography served as a powerful tool for shaping perceptions of different cultures. This image captures a young girl playing a xylophone, likely in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. The details of her dress, the instrument, and her serene gaze invite viewers to consider her identity. Is this a candid snapshot, or a carefully constructed representation? The girl's posture and attire suggest a staged scene, raising questions about the photographer's intent. Is this an attempt to exoticize or romanticize her culture? Does it respect her individuality? The photograph is a reminder of the complexities of cultural exchange. It prompts us to think critically about the photographer's role, the subject's agency, and the stories we tell ourselves about those who are different from us. It is in the space between the xylophone's notes that the colonial gaze meets a young woman's unknowable interiority.