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Racism in Early Color Photography

August 15, 2023

For a long time, photographer Robert Lohmeyer shaped the European view of Africa.

https://p.dw.com/p/4UUzS
Doku | Die Erfindung des Rassismus in Farbe
Image: WDR
Doku | Die Erfindung des Rassismus in Farbe
Image: WDR

During his travels, from 1907 to 1909, he photographed the German colonies -- in color, for the first time. In doing so, he laid the photographic foundations of racism.

 

 

 

Doku | Die Erfindung des Rassismus in Farbe
Image: WDR

The young photographer‘s trip to the German colonies of Togo, Cameroon, German Southwest Africa (now Namibia) and German East Africa (now Tanzania) was taken at the height of German imperialism. In his photographs of his travels, Robert Lohmeyer generated enthusiasm for these distant lands that Germany considered its possessions. 

 

 

Doku | Die Erfindung des Rassismus in Farbe
Image: WDR

Making use of the most up-to-date photographic equipment at the time, Lohmeyer’s project was a meticulously planned PR campaign. Its goal? A celebration of colonialism and empire. 

Lohmeyer’s resulting photography books were seen by huge numbers of people. Even today, the pictures are still in circulation. Lohmeyer's photos convey the image of a "peaceful savage" in a paradisiacal landscape. A colonial idyll.

Doku | Die Erfindung des Rassismus in Farbe
Image: WDR

Because the images are in color, they evoke a feeling of authenticity and truthfulness. War, disease, hunger and death do not appear in Lohmeyer's pictures. 

Based on unpublished written sources and photographs, the documentary follows Lohmeyer's journey. It tells the story of a chapter in the history of photography. But it also tells the story of a propaganda coup. Finally, the film explores Lohmeyer’s contribution to a new kind of racism -- in color - the effects of which can still be felt today.  

 

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