Z.V.H. den Soesoehoenan, Goesti Kangdjeng Ratoe Hemas en den Gouverneur van Midden-Java, den Heer A.H. Neys in de Kaboepaten van Rembang 1933

This photograph captures a meeting between Javanese royalty and Dutch colonial officials in the Rembang Regency. Though the photographer remains anonymous, the image speaks volumes about the power dynamics at play during this era. Notice the composition: the Dutch Governor, A.H. Neys, sits prominently to the side, while the Soesoehoenan and Goesti Kangdjeng Ratoe Hemas are centrally positioned, yet still contained within the colonial structure. The women seated alongside the Queen offer a glimpse into the gendered expectations and roles within Javanese society at the time. This photograph isn't just a record of a meeting, it's a window into the complexities of cultural exchange, colonial power, and the negotiation of identities in a rapidly changing world. How might the individuals in this photograph have felt about their place in this carefully constructed scene? What does it mean to have your image taken by someone else, particularly when that someone represents a dominant power?