Antique chromolithograph of an island in an estuary off the coast of Riau. Riau and by extension the Riau Islands were regions inhabited by the Malay people. Along with the Malays of Pontianak and Medan, they share common culture with the Peninsular Malays and the Sarawak Malays in what is now Malaysia. In the lithograph, a small island can be seen in the middle with red-roofed buildings on it. Native sailboats ply the waters surrounding the island.

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