Dorpelingen 1903 - 1910

Hendrik Doijer made this photograph, titled "Dorpelingen," at an unknown date. The image depicts a group of villagers posed in front of simple wooden structures. Looking closely, the composition reveals a stark contrast in attire, dividing the group socially. On one side, several figures are dressed in what appears to be European-style clothing, while the others wear simpler, more traditional garments. This contrast is a visual code that speaks to the colonial dynamics in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, where Doijer worked. The photograph hints at the complex social hierarchy and cultural imposition characteristic of the region at the time. To truly understand this photograph, one would need to delve into the archives of colonial history, examining photographs and documents related to the Dutch East Indies. It's through this kind of contextual research that we can better understand not only the image but also the social and institutional frameworks that shaped its creation and meaning.