Portret van een onbekende man die een sjaal maakt in Delhi before 1869

This portrait of an unknown man making a scarf in Delhi was created by Shepherd & Robertson. The photograph gives us a glimpse into the intricate labor and craftsmanship of textile production in Delhi, likely taken during the colonial era. The sitter’s identity as a ‘Mussulman’ or Muslim man as inscribed on the photograph, positions him within a specific religious and cultural context, and probably speaks to a British audience whose gaze exoticized the Indian people. The man is shown seated on the floor, dressed in traditional garb, his attention focused on his craft. The act of weaving becomes more than just a profession; it embodies a cultural practice, a form of artistic expression, and a means of preserving tradition. The photograph invites us to consider the complex interplay between labor, identity, and representation in the context of colonialism. It quietly honors the man’s skill, while reminding us of the historical forces at play.