Close-ups
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.
Towns and Landscapes
Laut Tador Lake, Sumatra, Antique Kleingrothe Photogravure c.1900
£165
$225 · €200
Original print, not a reproduction
Ships worldwide from the Netherlands, insured and tracked. 14-day returns.
- Date
- 1900
- Sheet size
- 13.4 × 17.7 in (34 × 45 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Very good for age. Minor foxing and age toning on the margins. Image area clean and strong. Original mount with printed title. No tears affecting the image.
- Island
- Sumatra
- Collection
- Towns and Landscapes
- Period
- Netherlands Indies, 1850 and after
- Stock no.
- f_47666102
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.
Laut Tador Lake, Sumatra, Antique Kleingrothe Photogravure c.1900
A beautifully composed original photogravure by C.J. Kleingrothe, featuring the tranquil scene of Laut Tador (Tador Lake) in North Sumatra around 1900. The image captures a serene body of water framed by tall forest trees and dense tropical vegetation, with a small settlement or shelter visible on the far bank. These photographs were taken at the height of Sumatra’s plantation era, when Kleingrothe was the leading photographer documenting colonial life, landscapes, and industrial development in the Deli region.
This large-format print was produced using high-quality photogravure techniques, giving the image rich tonal depth and preserving fine details of the tropical foliage and water reflections. Mounted on its original sheet with printed bilingual captions beneath the image including: Laut, Tador.
Kleingrothe’s works are highly collectible due to their historical value and limited production. They provide a striking visual record of Sumatra’s natural environment before large-scale transformation by agriculture and settlement.
A rare and well-preserved example suitable for museum-quality framing and ideal for collectors of Southeast Asian history, early photography, and plantation-era imagery.
Very good for age. Minor foxing and age toning on the margins. Image area clean and strong. Original mount with printed title. No tears affecting the image.
Framing Tips:
A dark wood or teak frame complements the colonial-era aesthetic. Use a museum-grade mat in warm ivory or soft cream to highlight the photogravure’s tonal richness.
Technique: Photogravure
Maker: C.J. Kleingrothe, Medan (Sumatra), circa 1900
