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Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look, drawn to its real size; it is sold unframed unless the description says otherwise.
The Company
Batavia Castle Church Courtyard, Vue d’Optique, Indonesia c.1770
Batavia is now Jakarta.
€450
$505 · £375
Original print, not a reproduction
Ships worldwide from the Netherlands, insured and tracked. 14-day returns.
- Date
- 1770
- Sheet size
- 13.2 × 18.1 in (33.5 × 46 cm)
- Condition
- Fair. Fair condition for age. Clean strong impression with vivid original hand coloring. Light overall age toning, faint foxing mainly in margins, and a few minor handling creases. Supported by extra backing paper. Fully suitable for framing.
- Island
- Java
- Place names
- Batavia is now Jakarta
- Collection
- The Company
- Period
- The Company, 1700 to 1799
- Stock no.
- f_45691262
- Color
- Hand colored
What the condition grades mean
- Excellent
- Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
- Very good
- Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
- Good
- Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
- Fair
- Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Optica View of Batavia Castle Church Courtyard, Indonesia, c.1770
This is an original 18th-century hand-colored optical print depicting the inner courtyard of Batavia Castle (Kasteel Batavia) with the Castle Church (Schloss Kirche) in present-day Jakarta, Indonesia. The engraving shows a precise architectural view of the palace complex, highlighting the Dutch colonial grandeur and urban planning of Batavia as the headquarters of the VOC (Dutch East India Company).
The scene captures the symmetrical formal garden courtyard lined with tiled walkways, grass plots, and neat rows of colonial buildings with shuttered windows. In the foreground, elegantly dressed VOC officials and Asian figures walk along the paved promenade, some carrying parasols, reflecting the cultural diversity of Batavia’s elite society. On the right rises the large entrance gate in baroque style, and further along is the prominent Castle Church with its ornate cupola topped by a weather vane featuring a VOC ship motif.
The German caption below reads: “Die innere Aufsicht des Castells in Batavia nebst der Schlofs Kirche,” describing the inner view of the Castle and Church. The French caption states: “Vue interieure du Palais de Batavie avec l’Eglise du Chateau,” emphasizing its architectural focus. At the top is the reversed title for use in an optical viewing box (zograscope), typical of European optica prints produced for audiences fascinated by exotic cities and colonial architecture.
Published circa 1770, this print was part of the European collection of 'vues d’optique', merging cartographic accuracy with decorative artistry to educate and entertain viewers about Dutch colonial Asia.
Fair condition for age. Clean strong impression with vivid original hand coloring. Light overall age toning, faint foxing mainly in margins, and a few minor handling creases. Supported by extra backing paper. Fully suitable for framing.
Framing tips:
Frame this optical print in a gilt or dark wood moulding to enhance its historic and decorative presence. Use an off-white or cream archival mat to protect the edges and highlight the bright colorwork. UV-protective glazing is recommended to maintain color vibrancy and protect the paper from fading.
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