Candi Panataran gezien vanaf de westzijde. Possibly 1867

Isidore Kinsbergen created this photograph of Candi Panataran in Java. His images provided Europeans with their first glimpses into the archeological sites of the Dutch East Indies, during a period of colonial expansion. Kinsbergen, born Jewish, converted to Christianity, and later became a Freemason. His life reveals the fluid nature of identity amidst the rigid structures of colonial society. Consider how Kinsbergen's own negotiation of identity may have influenced his approach to photographing Javanese temples. Was he an objective observer, or did he bring his own cultural lens to these ancient sites? The photograph itself is a study in contrasts: the imposing architecture of the temple complex is juxtaposed with the surrounding untamed landscape. The photograph offers a glimpse into a complex past and invites us to consider the layers of history, identity, and representation.