Mountain Road and Waterfall in the Tengger Range, 1872, Java Lithograph

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Mountain Road and Waterfall in the Tengger Range – Java Lithograph, Published 1872 This powerful and richly detailed chromolithograph captures … Read more Mountain Road and Waterfall in the Tengger Range – Java Lithograph, Published 1872 This powerful and richly detailed chromolithograph captures a dramatic stretch of road through the Tengger Mountains in the far eastern part of Java. It is plate number 23 from the rare and important folio *Java, naar schilderijen en teekeningen van A. Salm*, with lithography by J.C. Greive Jr., published in Amsterdam by Frans Buffa & Zonen around 1872. The scene follows the "grote weg van Buitenzorg naar de Preanger Regentschappen"—the main colonial road connecting Buitenzorg (Bogor) with the interior of West and East Java. The road cuts through a steep mountain pass, hugged on the right by rugged, towering limestone cliffs and lined with wooden guardrails. On the left, a wild stream plunges in a cascading waterfall, tumbling into a deep ravine below, where buffaloes wade through the shallow waters. Ox-drawn carts and local figures are visible on the road, including travelers and workers on foot, guiding their animals through the mountainous terrain. The composition is carefully balanced between the vertical thrust of the cliffs and the dynamic movement of the waterfall and road. Layers of rolling hills fade into the distance beneath a pale golden sky, suggesting either dawn or late afternoon light. This work is one of the most dramatic and topographically expressive images in the *Java* series, offering insight into both natural grandeur and human adaptation to a rugged landscape. Salm’s original painting and Greive’s hand-finished lithography bring out the textures of stone, forest, and water with remarkable precision. For collectors of colonial-era prints, topographical art, or Southeast Asian landscapes, this plate captures the intersection of nature, infrastructure, and local life in 19th-century Java. Condition report: The print is in very good condition. The image itself is clean and vibrant, with excellent color retention. The margins display some light age-toning and foxing, mostly visible in the upper left. The original printed title ticket is present and intact in the lower right. Framing suggestion: A dark wood or stone-textured frame would suit the strong geological elements of the scene. Use a light tan or sand-colored archival mat to enhance the warm light and emphasize the detail in the rocky cliffs and waterfall. UV-protective museum glass is recommended to preserve the depth and tone of this visually rich print. See less