Rahden Saleh 1863 - 1869

This portrait of Raden Saleh, undated, was created by Woodbury & Page using a photographic process. The sepia tone lends it a certain gravitas, emphasizing the hierarchical arrangement of the subject within the oval frame. Saleh’s figure is rigidly posed with arms crossed, positioned slightly off-center, and juxtaposed against a highly ornamented table. This creates a visual dynamic between the organic form of the man and the structured artifice of his surroundings. The intricate details of his military attire invite a reading of power and status, yet the soft focus of the photograph introduces a sense of ambiguity. Consider how the choice of photographic medium and the deliberate composition serve to convey not just an image of a man, but also ideas about representation, identity and the colonial gaze. This photograph prompts us to consider how appearances are constructed and understood within specific cultural and historical contexts.