Handelshuizen te Batavia aan Pasar Pisang Possibly 1865 - 1869

Editor: Here we have "Handelshuizen te Batavia aan Pasar Pisang," a photograph possibly from the 1860s by Woodbury & Page, now at the Rijksmuseum. It's a long building, maybe a trading post. There are figures and horse-drawn carriages... It has a still, very formal feeling to it. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into the Dutch colonial presence in Batavia, now Jakarta. It’s critical to consider the power dynamics inherent in such images. Who are these 'Handelshuizen' serving, and at what cost? Think about how this image, likely intended as a document of progress, might mask the exploitation occurring beneath the surface. Editor: Exploitation? I hadn’t considered that. Curator: Indeed. Consider the carefully constructed facade of prosperity, the rigid architectural order juxtaposed with the implied chaos of trade and labor happening within and around these buildings. The very act of photographing Batavia normalizes and reinforces colonial control. The local population is present, but seemingly arranged for the photograph's composition. How do their expressions read to you? Editor: They do look... posed, almost. So, you see this not just as a historical record, but as a statement of colonial power? Curator: Precisely. These images are never neutral. By critically examining who is represented, who is absent, and how they are framed, we can unpack the complex social and political realities of the time. Think about how this photograph fits into a broader history of visual representation and its role in perpetuating inequality. Editor: That's a powerful way to look at it. It makes you consider what's *not* in the picture, too. Curator: Exactly. Analyzing the image’s context allows us to engage in conversations about representation, agency, and the enduring legacies of colonialism. Editor: Thank you, it's a totally new way to see this picture!