Zuidkust Trenggalek (Southcoast Trenggalek), Java

Margarethe Mathilde Weissenborn, better known as Thilly Weissenborn was born in Java to European parents. Although photography was only invented in the mid 19th century, studios were quick to pop up around the globe and enticed many to travel in search of a career. Thilly’s older sister Else studied photography in Paris and established a studio in The Hague where Thilly learnt her trade. Returning to Java, Thilly Weissenborn worked at the O Kurkdjian & Co studio in Surabaya before establishing Lux Studios around 1920. She is renowned for her idyllic images of Balinese women and landscapes.