Droogvloer op "Ma retraite" 1903 - 1910

Hendrik Doijer’s photograph captures a coffee drying floor, likely taken in the late 19th or early 20th century. The image’s power lies in its stark depiction of industrial labor. The photograph is composed of humble materials: light-sensitive chemicals on paper, yet these capture a scene dominated by labor. We see a vast expanse of coffee beans spread out to dry, a process requiring careful attention and physical work. The drying floor, sheltered by simple structures, suggests a controlled environment optimized for production. Tiny figures are present, underscoring the sheer scale of the operation. Doijer's choice of subject matter elevates a mundane, yet crucial, step in the coffee production process. This reminds us that every cup involves not just beans, but the hands that cultivated and processed them. It bridges the gap between the romantic notion of a tropical paradise and the realities of colonial economies. By focusing on the labor of creation, Doijer's work prompts us to consider the social context of mass-produced commodities, and to look closely at the human labor involved.