Woonhuis 1886

"Woonhuis" is an albumen print made in the Dutch East Indies by Kassian Céphas. Céphas was one of the first Indonesian photographers. Born to a Javanese court painter, he was christened as a Catholic and began his career documenting the antiquities of Java. This photograph offers a glimpse into the colonial landscape of the Dutch East Indies, capturing a residential building flanked by lush vegetation and two figures in white uniforms. The careful composition and the presence of the uniformed men subtly highlight the power dynamics inherent in colonial rule. As one of the few native photographers, Céphas navigated the complexities of his identity, both embracing and subtly challenging the dominant colonial gaze through his work. The soft tones and serene setting invite contemplation on the complex interplay between colonizer and colonized, observer and observed.