Antique chromolithograph of a steamboat and native yachts near a harbor in the Indies. Steamboats were common modes of transport in the Indies for Europeans going to and from the various islands. Much like in the United States, these steamboats also plied the rivers of the Indies, presumably this one was named after the Ciliwung River in Batavia and made trips up and down the river. Native yachts, though smaller, were nevertheless the quickest and most common vessels of native sailors in the Indies.

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