Gezicht op Etebe 1896

Franz Thonner captured this photographic print titled "Gezicht op Etebe," or "View of Etebe," in what was then the Congo Free State. The photograph, mounted in an album, depicts Etebe, a village along the Ubangi River. As a historical document, this image presents a valuable yet problematic glimpse into the colonial era. Thonner, an Austrian, was part of the European presence in the Congo, a presence intertwined with exploitation and violence under King Leopold II of Belgium. The photograph's composition, perhaps intentionally, evokes a sense of exoticism and romanticism, potentially obscuring the harsh realities of colonial life for the Congolese people. To fully understand this image, it’s important to look at the historical context of the Congo Free State, researching colonial archives, missionary accounts, and the testimonies of Congolese individuals themselves. The image, though seemingly benign, serves as a reminder of the power dynamics inherent in the act of representation during a time of profound social and political upheaval.