Antique chromolithograph of Borobudur Temple. Dating back to the 9th century, the Borobudur Temple complex is one of the defining landmarks of Buddhism in the Indies and one of the wonders of the world. Built in the style of a mandala, Borobudur consists of nine stacked platforms topped by a central dome. With 72 statues of the Buddha in its stupas, it is undoubtedly the largest buddhist temple in the world and a marvel. After the natives converted to Islam in the 14th century, the temple went in decline until Sir Stamford Raffles mounted an expedition to “rediscover” the lost temple.

Published in Leiden, the Netherlands, after a water drawing by J.C. Rappard,

Jhr. Josias Cornelis Rappard (1824-1898) was a colonel in the KNIL and a painter. During his posting in the Netherlands Indies 1842-1872, he painted and drew pictures of life and scenes in the Indies that were later, back in Leiden, The Netherlands, would be made into chromolithographs. The Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam holds a large number of these prints and collectors all over the world appreciate Rappard's classic watercolours.

Chromolithography was a popular method for colour printing in the 19th century because of its lower cost and relative ease to mass-produce. The process involves the use of stones and a chemical process to fasten images to the paper. High-end chromolithographs are hand-finished by an artist after the process to ensure the best possible fidelity in each copy.

This lithograph is part of a series, view all by clicking HERE