Doreh baai in Nieuw-Guinea 1883 - 1931

Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster made this wash drawing of Doreh bay in New Guinea. In the early twentieth century, the Netherlands sought to administer its colony of New Guinea through the use of visual documentation. Artists and photographers were dispatched to record landscapes, people, and customs for scientific and administrative purposes. This drawing depicts a coastal scene, likely commissioned as part of this effort. The composition emphasizes the serenity of the landscape, yet it also subtly underscores Dutch colonial ambitions. By documenting the region, the Dutch sought to legitimize their presence and control over the territory. The image creates meaning through visual codes that associate Dutch authority with scientific observation. For those interested in further exploring this topic, research into colonial archives, ethnographic studies, and the history of Dutch expansionism in the region will provide a better understanding of the drawing’s place in institutional history.