Groep mensen op karren op rails voortgetrokken door paarden, in Lau-Boentoe, Sumatra c. 1890 - 1900

This photograph by Heinrich Ernst & Co. captures a group of people riding on rail carts pulled by horses in Lau-Boentoe, Sumatra. The image speaks to the complex social and economic structures of colonial Indonesia. The rail system itself is a symbol of Dutch colonial infrastructure, designed to extract resources and control territory. Note the racial divisions: Europeans, likely overseers or managers, stand apart, while the local Indonesian workers are seated on the carts. Their clothing and demeanor suggest a working-class status, highlighting the rigid social hierarchy imposed by colonial rule. This photograph serves as a visual document of a specific moment in Sumatra's history, reflecting the power dynamics and labor practices that shaped the region. Further research into colonial archives, company records, and personal accounts can reveal the full story behind this image. The interpretation of art is contingent on social and institutional context.