Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1805
Mapmaker / artist
Jaques Kuyper (del.), engraved by Portman
Publisher
Johannes Allart, Amsterdam, c.1805
Technique
Hand-colored copper engraving
Sheet size
22.5 × 13 cm (8.9 × 5.1 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13696-8
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.
Condition
Very good for age. Wide margins present. Minor age toning and a few small faint margin spots not affecting the image. Strong impression with bright original hand-coloring.
This finely hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Groenlanders” depicts Inuit (Greenlandic) people in the Arctic region. It was published in Amsterdam around 1805 as part of the Dutch anthropological series “De Mensch, zoo als hij voorkomt op den bekenden aardbol” (“Humankind as Found on the Known Globe”), written by Martinus Stuart and illustrated by Jaques Kuyper.
The scene portrays a family standing on an icy shore. The man holds a long paddle and carries a kayak, while the woman carries a child on her back. Their fur garments, footwear, and accessories show expert adaptation to the extreme northern climate. Icebergs and a rocky coastline provide a striking Arctic backdrop. The original hand-coloring is well preserved, particularly in the skin tones and textures of the fur clothing.
Stuart & Kuyper’s work was among the earliest Dutch attempts to present Indigenous cultures from around the world, based on travel and exploration literature of the period. Although shaped by European viewpoints, these images are now valued as important visual records of traditional modes of life before modern changes took place in the region.
A highly collectible and visually appealing print, ideal for collectors of polar exploration, Inuit culture, and early ethnographic illustration.
Very good for age. Wide margins present. Minor age toning and a few small faint margin spots not affecting the image. Strong impression with bright original hand-coloring.
Framing Tips: A cool-toned mat (light gray or soft cream) with a dark wood or black frame will enhance the Arctic atmosphere. A float mount to show the plate mark and margins is recommended.
