Vrouw van een regent met bediende 1860 - 1890

Woodbury and Page made this photograph of a regent's wife with her servant in Java. This image offers a glimpse into the intricate social hierarchies of colonial Indonesia. The photograph, with its formal composition and careful attention to detail, reflects the influence of European portraiture traditions. The woman's attire, the batik cloth, and the servant's posture all speak to the visual codes and cultural references of the time. In this period, European photographers established studios and produced images for both colonial administrators and local elites. The image reflects an unequal power dynamic. The regent's wife, seated and elevated, represents authority, while the servant, positioned lower, embodies subservience. To understand this image fully, we need to delve into the historical archives, colonial records, and ethnographic studies that shed light on the complexities of Dutch colonial rule and its impact on Indonesian society. Ultimately, this photograph serves as a reminder of the power of art to reveal the social conditions that shaped its creation.