1740 Batavia Chinese Massacre Engraving – Dutch Colonial Indonesia
€ 540
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1740
Sheet size
41 × 48 cm (16.1 × 18.9 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13484-1
Condition
Very good condition. Strong, clear impression with no significant staining or foxing. Mounted on an archival mat with wide cream borders, ready for framing. Very minor age toning typical of 18th-century paper, but no tears or repairs noted.
About this sheet
1740 Batavia Chinese Massacre Engraving – Dutch Colonial Indonesia
This is an original 18th-century engraving depicting the Batavia Chinese Massacre of October 9, 1740. Titled in French and Dutch at the bottom margin, the print reads: “Tableau de la Partie de Batavia, où s’est fait proprement le terrible Massacre des Chinois, le 9 Octobre 1740” and “Afbeeldinge van dat Gedeelte van Batavia, alwaar eigenlyk de Kerkelyke Slagting der Chinezen geschied is, den 9 Octobr. 1740.”
The scene portrays the tragic mass killing of ethnic Chinese residents in Batavia (now Jakarta) under Dutch VOC colonial rule. The composition shows burning houses, fleeing civilians, and soldiers attacking Chinese residents in the city’s Chinese quarter. Smoke rises over rooftops, and panic spreads through the crowded streets. Dutch troops and local auxiliaries can be seen advancing, while a river with boats in the foreground frames the horrific event within Batavia’s urban landscape.
In the distance are colonial structures, churches, and administrative buildings, demonstrating the wealth and order of the VOC capital while contrasting with the chaotic violence in the foreground. This massacre was sparked by economic tensions, heavy taxation, and VOC fears of Chinese revolt, leading to the deaths of an estimated 10,000 Chinese in Batavia over several days, marking one of the darkest episodes in Dutch colonial history.
The engraving served both as reportage and colonial propaganda, documenting events for European audiences and shaping perceptions of Dutch authority in Asia.
Condition: Very good condition. Strong, clear impression with no significant staining or foxing. Mounted on an archival mat with wide cream borders, ready for framing. Very minor age toning typical of 18th-century paper, but no tears or repairs noted. Fully suitable for museum-quality display.
Framing tips: This mounted engraving is ready to frame in a dark wood or black moulding to emphasise its historic narrative. UV-protective glass is recommended to protect the paper from fading and preserve the engraving’s clarity over time.
