J.C. Greive Jr. after Abram Salm, Mount Bromo Volcano Erupting in 1856 East Java, 1872, Lithograph on Paper

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This dramatic landscape shows Mount Bromo, one of Java’s most iconic and active volcanoes, during an eruption in the year … Read more This dramatic landscape shows Mount Bromo, one of Java’s most iconic and active volcanoes, during an eruption in the year 1856. The scene, captured as plate 8 in the prestigious folio 'Java, naar schilderijen en teekeningen van A. Salm', combines geological spectacle with careful artistic composition. The work was lithographed by J.C. Greive Jr. after a painting by Abram Salm and published by Frans Buffa & Zonen in Amsterdam around 1872. In this chromolithograph, Mount Bromo rises sharply in the center of the composition, flanked by rugged volcanic ridges and framed by a serene, early morning or late afternoon sky. The jagged slopes are rendered in purplish and greyish tones, catching the ambient light, while clouds gather gently above. The ashen plain in the foreground—the Tengger caldera—is sparsely populated, with a small caravan of people and horses crossing from left to right. Their small size in relation to the vast, open terrain emphasizes the scale and isolation of the volcanic region. Mount Bromo, situated in East Java’s Probolinggo Residency, is part of the larger Tengger massif and has long held spiritual and cultural significance for local communities. Salm’s depiction captures both its raw natural power and the stillness of the surrounding landscape, creating a powerful contrast. The original painting was translated into lithographic form by Greive with remarkable skill, using subtle tonal gradations and hand-finished color to bring the volcanic terrain to life. This lithograph is not just a beautiful landscape—it is a visual document of a historical eruption, rendered with firsthand observation and artistic mastery. It would be a superb addition to any collection of colonial-era travel art, geological illustration, or Indonesian history.

Condition report: The print is in very good condition. The image retains excellent clarity and color balance. No creases, tears, or foxing are visible within the image area. The original mount shows only light age spotting and some handling wear at the edges. The printed title ticket is present and intact at the lower right. See less