Gezicht op ruïnes van de woning van een huispriesters van de Radja van Lombok before 1897

This photograph shows the ruins of a house in Lombok, Indonesia, and was taken by Christiaan Johan Neeb, a Dutch photographer, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. Neeb's work invites us to consider the gaze of the colonizer. As a European man, he was both a product of and a participant in the colonial project. His photographs, while seemingly objective, are inherently shaped by his cultural background and the power dynamics of the time. The choice of subject matter — the ruins of a house — speaks volumes about the impact of Dutch colonization on Indonesian society. Was Neeb attempting to document and preserve a culture he perceived as vanishing? Or was he, perhaps unconsciously, highlighting the destructive consequences of colonial rule? Consider the emotional weight of this image for the people of Lombok, whose history is intertwined with this site. This photograph is more than just a visual record; it is a complex artifact that raises questions about power, representation, and the enduring legacy of colonialism.