Ethnography · 19th century
€ 210
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good for age. Wide margins preserved. Light toning and some faint margin spotting typical for the period, not affecting the image. Strong impression with bright original hand-coloring.
Inhabitants of Prince William’s Bay, Alaska – Antique Hand-Colored Ethnographic Print c.1805
This finely hand-colored ethnographic print titled “Bewooners van de Prins Willems-Baai” (“Inhabitants of Prince William’s Bay”) represents Indigenous Alaskan peoples living along the southern Alaskan coast near present-day Prince William Sound. 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 depicts a family in traditional attire adapted to an Arctic maritime lifestyle. The man stands holding a spear and wearing a fur parka and boots decorated with tassels, while the woman seated at his side holds a circular frame and interacts with a child leaning against her. Behind them towers a dramatic Alaskan landscape of snow-covered mountains and evergreen forests. The original hand-coloring has been well preserved, enriching the furs, textiles, and natural surroundings with strong tone and detail.
This publication is among the earliest Dutch works aiming to depict world cultures systematically through early anthropological and exploration accounts. Though representing a European perspective of its era, these plates now serve as valuable historical records documenting Indigenous lifeways prior to widespread cultural change.
A highly collectible print for those interested in Arctic exploration, Native Alaskan history, and ethnographic illustration, and an attractive decorative piece for interiors.
Condition:
Good for age. Wide margins preserved. Light toning and some faint margin spotting typical for the period, not affecting the image. Strong impression with bright original hand-coloring.
Framing Tips:
A neutral cool-toned mat (soft gray or ivory) paired with a dark wood or black frame will complement the Arctic palette. Float mounting recommended to reveal plate mark and margins.
Technique: Hand-colored copper engraving
Maker: Jaques Kuyper (del.), engraved by Portman
Publisher: Johannes Allart, Amsterdam, c.1805
Publication: De Mensch, zoo als hij voorkomt op den bekenden aardbol
