Landscape
by
Jule Pohlmann
The photograph titled “Der kleine Kamerunberg” was taken approximately at the period from 1890 to 1915. It is a black and white picture from Cameroon in Africa with a horizontal format. To see on the picture is a fallen tree, which is arranged a bit under the image center. The tree is broken shortly above where the roots protrude from the ground and the remaining part of the trunk lays in a horizontal position on the left side of the breaking point. The laying trunk is relatively thin and bare. Around the tree is a faded meadow to see. Behind the broken trunk are banana plants in an unsorted order to recognize and a small cabin which is located further left at the background of the picture. On a closer view of the cabin, there are to see two humans in white robes. Those humans are standing right next to each other and frontal to the beholder. Also around the cabin are wild grown banana plants to recognize. At the far background of the photograph is the Mount Cameroon to see. For the beholder, the mountain is visible from the center up of the picture and the peak ends centric almost at the top border of the picture. In the width the mountain reaches from the right border of the picture to three quarters of the whole width. Around the mountain are a few clouds. From 1884 to 1919 was Cameroon a german colony. To the time, when the photograph was taken, reigned governor Jesko von Puttkamer in Cameroon. During that time a strong plantation‐economy was operated. From this it can be concluded that the aforementioned banana plants were in german possession. Interpretative one may guess, that governor Jesko von Puttkamer may have caused that the tree was felled, so there can be more plantation build. On the one side the governor brought a expanding agriculture to the Mount Cameroon but on the other side he was accused of severe brutality by compulsory change of residence. Aptly reflects the photograph exactly that discrepancy which ruled to that period. The upper half of the picture exudes quietness and calmness whereas the lower half of the picture exudes chaos and disquietude.
Jule Pohlmann
The photograph titled “Der kleine Kamerunberg” was taken approximately at the period from 1890 to 1915. It is a black and white picture from Cameroon in Africa with a horizontal format. To see on the picture is a fallen tree, which is arranged a bit under the image center. The tree is broken shortly above where the roots protrude from the ground and the remaining part of the trunk lays in a horizontal position on the left side of the breaking point. The laying trunk is relatively thin and bare. Around the tree is a faded meadow to see. Behind the broken trunk are banana plants in an unsorted order to recognize and a small cabin which is located further left at the background of the picture. On a closer view of the cabin, there are to see two humans in white robes. Those humans are standing right next to each other and frontal to the beholder. Also around the cabin are wild grown banana plants to recognize. At the far background of the photograph is the Mount Cameroon to see. For the beholder, the mountain is visible from the center up of the picture and the peak ends centric almost at the top border of the picture. In the width the mountain reaches from the right border of the picture to three quarters of the whole width. Around the mountain are a few clouds. From 1884 to 1919 was Cameroon a german colony. To the time, when the photograph was taken, reigned governor Jesko von Puttkamer in Cameroon. During that time a strong plantation‐economy was operated. From this it can be concluded that the aforementioned banana plants were in german possession. Interpretative one may guess, that governor Jesko von Puttkamer may have caused that the tree was felled, so there can be more plantation build. On the one side the governor brought a expanding agriculture to the Mount Cameroon but on the other side he was accused of severe brutality by compulsory change of residence. Aptly reflects the photograph exactly that discrepancy which ruled to that period. The upper half of the picture exudes quietness and calmness whereas the lower half of the picture exudes chaos and disquietude.
Thanks for continuing posting these fascinating images. Are there any digital resources or ebooks by 19th/early 20th Germans that are available online? Please kindly share if you know of them.
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