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
Soengei Serpa, Sumatra, Antique Photogravure by C.J. Kleingrothe, c.1900
£200
$270 · €240
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 condition overall. Minor age-related foxing and faint edge toning in margins. Image itself clean and well-preserved. Original strong plate mark visible.
- Island
- Sumatra
- Collection
- Towns and Landscapes
- Period
- Netherlands Indies, 1850 and after
- Stock no.
- f_47666052
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.
Soengei Serpa, Sumatra, Antique Photogravure by C.J. Kleingrothe, c.1900
Description:
A striking original photogravure by renowned photographer C.J. Kleingrothe, showing the lush tropical landscape and a wooden suspension bridge crossing the Soengei Serpa (Serpa River) in Sumatra around 1900. Kleingrothe was one of the most important photographers active in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), known for his detailed documentation of plantation life, infrastructure, and society in Sumatra during the colonial era.
This atmospheric view highlights the dense rainforest, natural waterways, and early industrial development that was transforming Sumatra at the turn of the 20th century. The large foreground riverbank with figures below the bridge adds human scale and narrative interest. Highly decorative as well as historically significant, this large plate is ideal for collectors of Indonesian history, colonial photography, or Southeast Asian landscapes.
Printed on its original thick support sheet with wide margins, perfect for framing. A fine example from the scarce Kleingrothe portfolios issued in Medan c. 1900 to 1910.
Very good condition overall. Minor age-related foxing and faint edge toning in margins. Image itself clean and well-preserved. Original strong plate mark visible.
Framing suggestions:
An ivory or warm white mat with a dark wood or teak frame will complement both the sepia-toned image and the Indonesian subject matter. A float-mount presentation would nicely showcase the wide original margins.
Technique: Photogravure
Maker: C.J. Kleingrothe, Medan (Sumatra), c.1900
