Pagina 59 van fotoboek van de Algemeene Vereeniging van Rubberplanters ter Oostkust van Sumatra (A.V.R.O.S.) c. 1924 - 1925

This photograph of a rubber plantation was taken by J.W. Meyster sometime in the early 20th century. It's part of a photo album documenting the rubber industry in Sumatra. Look at how the light filters through the arched windows, softening the industrial machinery. It’s all captured in these muted, sepia tones which makes it feel almost dreamlike. The gears and belts of the machine are rendered with a kind of ghostly precision, like a memory fading at the edges. Notice how Meyster uses shadow to create depth, especially in the foreground. It's not just a record of a place, but a study of light and texture. The photograph has this strange intimacy, like a quiet conversation between the viewer and the machine. Think about the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher, who documented industrial structures with a similar cool detachment. But here, there's a human element, a sense of presence that transcends the purely documentary. It’s a reminder that even in the most functional spaces, there’s room for beauty and reflection.