A palm tree in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India 1864 - 1866

Samuel Bourne produced this albumen print of a palm tree in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The image is a window into the British colonial gaze in 19th-century India, reflecting the power dynamics and aesthetic preferences of the time. The careful framing of the palm tree against the backdrop of Lucknow's architecture speaks to a deliberate construction of the Indian landscape for a Western audience. It represents an exotic, picturesque view, while also subtly asserting British presence and control. Bourne’s work reminds us to consider the photographer’s role in shaping perceptions of foreign lands, and how those perceptions contribute to broader narratives of cultural exchange and domination. Further research into Bourne's other photographs and the social context of British colonialism in India would deepen our understanding of this image.