Bali: Photography 1865–1939

This publication presents a compelling visual history of Bali as seen through the lens of early photographers between 1865 and 1939. Beginning with the arrival of Isidore van Kinsbergen on a Dutch government mission in December 1865, when Bali was still largely unknown to the outside world, the book traces the island’s transformation through decades of political, social, and cultural change, culminating in the rise of tourism during the 1930s.

Photo historian Scott Merrillees draws from over thirty years of collecting archival photographs, postcards, travel literature, and brochures to explore how Bali was photographed, perceived, and represented to international audiences. His research provides critical insights into the influence of colonialism, tourism, and artistic trends in shaping Bali’s early photographic image. The result is both a rich historical document and an exquisite art book, offering a rare glimpse into pre-independence Bali through more than 350 pages of meticulously curated imagery and commentary.

Publication Details:

• Author: Scott Merrillees
• Publisher: Afterhours Books (2025)
• Language: English
• Format: Hardcover (as issued, no dust jacket)
• Pages: 350 pages
• Dimensions: 32 x 25 cm
• ISBN: 9786026990860

 Condition:

• Book: New.
• Dust Jacket: Not issued.