Kleingrothe, Batak Warrior Portrait, Sumatra, Dutch East Indies, 1910, Etching

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Batak warrior portrait, sumatra, c j kleingrothe, dutch east indies c1910 this compelling antique photogravure features a striking portrait of … Read more Batak warrior portrait, sumatra, c j kleingrothe, dutch east indies c1910 this compelling antique photogravure features a striking portrait of a batak man from north sumatra, produced around 1900 by renowned colonial-era photographer c. J. Kleingrothe in medan, deli. The print shows a male figure holding a staff-like object, his torso bare, wrapped in traditional cloth, with intense expression and high detail capturing the cultural authenticity of the batak people of the time. The plate is titled in three languages beneath the image: “battakker” (german), “battakker” (dutch), and “battak” (english), reflecting its publication for an international audience. Kleingrothe was one of the most important commercial photographers active in the dutch east indies, known especially for documenting sumatran plantation life and indigenous ethnic groups before modernization reshaped the region. His studio collaborated with the deli planters’ association, producing fine publication plates such as this one. This work preserves a rare anthropological record of batak culture during a transformative period of southeast asian history. Printed in munich by the well-regarded atelier j.b. Obernetter, the gravure process achieves rich tonal depth and subtle shading, giving the portrait a lifelike presence. The dramatic lighting and carefully staged pose suggest this was intended as part of a visual ethnographic series rather than a casual field photograph. The sheet retains its generous original margins, ideal for display and framing according to collector preference. This is a genuine early 20th-century impression — not a reproduction — making it an attractive acquisition for collectors of indonesian history, colonial photography, or ethnographic art. Works by kleingrothe have become increasingly scarce on the market and are held in major institutional collections worldwide. A powerful and historically significant portrait that offers both visual impact and cultural depth. Condition: very good for age. Light toning and minor foxing to outer margins consistent with age, image area clean and strong. No tears or losses. Wide original margins preserved. Framing tips: a dark walnut or black wood frame with off-white mat will emphasize the portrait’s dramatic aesthetic. Floating mount recommended to preserve the wide margins. Also strong against deep green or earthy wall tones. Technique: photogravure maker: c. J. Kleingrothe (photographer), printed by j.b. Obernetter, munich place & date: medan (photographed), c. 1900–1910 See less