Architecture & Design · 18th century
€ 430
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Very good for age. Toning to the sheet, minor foxing in the margins, strong plate mark, and bright original hand-colouring. Wide margins present. Image is clean and decorative.
Batavia Castle and Parade Ground – Hand-Coloured Engraving by J.W. Heydt, 1738
This finely hand-coloured copper engraving by Johann Wolfgang Heydt, dated 1738, depicts Batavia Castle (Kasteel Batavia) in the Dutch East Indies, present-day Jakarta, Indonesia. The scene shows the fortified headquarters of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) with its massive walls, bastions, and flagstaff flying the Dutch tricolour. In front of the castle lies an open field serving as a parade and exercise ground, where figures can be seen engaging in riding practice, walking, and recreation.
The engraving captures both the military and social aspects of VOC colonial life. In the foreground, a canal or moat curves around the fortifications, with a passenger boat ferrying people across the water. Trees line the ramparts, and the surrounding settlement is visible in the distance, with red-tiled roofs and church spires breaking the skyline. A decorative ribbon cartouche at the top bears the descriptive title, while a numbered key at the right identifies key locations within the view, including bastions, gates, and notable structures.
This image is part of Johann Wolfgang Heydt’s important series of topographical engravings documenting VOC possessions in Africa and Asia, published in 'Allgemeine Beschreibung von Africa und Ost-Indien' in the mid-18th century. These plates were based on first-hand observations and official VOC sources, making them valuable historical records of colonial architecture and settlement planning.
Condition: Very good for age. Toning to the sheet, minor foxing in the margins, strong plate mark, and bright original hand-colouring. Wide margins present. Image is clean and decorative.
Framing tips: A cream or off-white mount with a dark wood or gilt frame will complement the vivid hand-colouring and emphasise the architectural detail of the castle and fortifications.
Technique: Hand-coloured copper engraving
Maker: Johann Wolfgang Heydt, Dutch East Indies, 1738
