Rijksmuseum Amsterdam to Feature 'Crossings' Exhibition: Photography from the Indian Subcontinent
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is set to open Crossings, a photography exhibition exploring the rich visual history of the Indian subcontinent. Running from July 4 to October 12, 2025, the show connects 19th-century colonial photography with contemporary works by French-Sri Lankan artist Vasantha Yogananthan. This unique presentation stems from a two-year research initiative that meticulously cataloged and described approximately 1200 historical photographs from the museum's collection. Visitors will see a selection of these historical images alongside Yogananthan's work, offering a fresh perspective on the region more than a century later.
A Glimpse into 19th-Century Colonial Photography
The exhibition delves into the Rijksmuseum's extensive collection of around 1200 19th-century photographs, originating from areas now encompassing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Many of these regions were under British colonial administration until the mid-20th century. These early photographs were frequently commissioned for European and American audiences largely unfamiliar with the distant lands. Prominent photographers such as Linnaeus Tripe (1822-1902) and Samuel Bourne (1834-1912) are featured, whose work captured temples, cities, landscapes, and people. While seemingly objective, these historical images often reflect the interests of their patrons. Despite this context, they remain crucial visual records, often providing the earliest photographic documentation of significant monuments and archaeological sites.
Vasantha Yogananthan's Contemporary Lens on Ancient Epics
Contrasting with the colonial perspective, the exhibition highlights the work of Vasantha Yogananthan (b. 1985). His photography builds upon the vibrant photographic traditions of the Indian subcontinent. The Rijksmuseum will display images from his series A Myth of Two Souls, a project that involved 13 trips to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Yogananthan's series explores how ancient stories, myths, and traditions continue to resonate in contemporary life. He specifically draws inspiration from the Ramayana, the ancient Hindu epic that symbolizes the eternal struggle between good and evil, depicting tales of Prince Rama and Sita. Through his personal interpretation of this epic, Yogananthan incorporates traditional photographic methods, including the hand-coloring of prints, to create a bridge between the past and present.
This exhibition promises a thought-provoking journey through photographic history and cultural narratives. To plan your visit to the Rijksmuseum and discover more about its offerings, including current and upcoming shows, explore Musemap (musemap.art) for details on museums in Amsterdam or check out what's on during your visit.
