Vissers staand in ondiep water in Nederlands-Indië c. 1920 - 1930

This photograph captures fishermen standing in shallow waters in what was then known as the Dutch East Indies, taken by Klaas Kleiterp. Kleiterp, born in 1892, lived through a period of intense colonial activity. The image offers us a glimpse into a society marked by Dutch colonial presence. It subtly captures the dynamics of labor and local life in the East Indies. We see figures immersed in their daily work, framed by a landscape that is both serene and imbued with the complexities of colonial history. The act of fishing, seemingly simple, becomes a focal point through which we can reflect on issues of labor, cultural identity, and the economic structures imposed by colonial rule. Photographs like these invite us to consider not only the scene depicted but also the power dynamics inherent in who is behind the camera and whose stories are being told.