The Bathing Place of Wendit, East Java – Tranquil Java Lithograph, Published 1872
This serene and beautifully composed chromolithograph shows the celebrated bathing place of Wendit, located near Malang in East Java. It is plate number 21 from the rare folio 'Java, naar schilderijen en teekeningen van A. Salm', based on original paintings by Abram Salm and lithographed by J.C. Greive Jr., published in Amsterdam by Frans Buffa & Zonen around 1872.
Wendit was known in the 19th century as a lush, natural bathing site fed by cool springs, surrounded by volcanic hills and palm-shaded paths. In this image, a peaceful lake or spring glows under the warm hues of early evening or morning light. Javanese villagers line the water’s edge, bathing, washing clothes, or resting after a day's work. The relaxed atmosphere is complemented by the gentle silhouettes of traditional homes on the right, nestled among banana trees and greenery.
In the distance, a sweeping ridge of mountains rises softly, its slopes rendered in a blue-lavender mist. The golden sky is reflected in the calm water, providing the perfect setting for quiet communal activity. The entire scene is infused with harmony and grace, showing daily life in an idyllic natural environment untouched by colonial industry or urban growth.
Abram Salm’s original painting balances natural landscape with the social fabric of village life. J.C. Greive Jr. captures the delicate interplay of light and color with the chromolithographic process, enhancing the view with hand-finished details that give life to both people and nature.
This print is a gentle and elegant document of a place where nature and tradition coexist peacefully—ideal for collectors of tropical landscape art, colonial-era prints, or those drawn to serene depictions of daily life in 19th-century Java.
Condition report:
The print is in good condition. The image itself is clean and bright, with beautiful color retention. Foxing is visible across the outer margins but does not significantly affect the main composition. The printed title ticket is present and affixed to the lower right margin.
Framing suggestion:
Frame this tranquil work with a soft-toned wood or bamboo-style frame to echo the tropical mood. Use a warm white or cream archival mat to draw focus to the delicate lighting and human detail. UV-filtering museum glass will help preserve the hand-colored pigments and protect against fading.
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The complete list from this work below. A large number of them available for purchase in my shop:
1. Het land Tjitarap; Assistent-Residentie Buitenzorg
The land of Tjitarap; Assistant Residency of Buitenzorg
2. De Vulkaan de Smeroe; genomen uit de Residentie Pasoeroean
The volcano Smeroe; seen from the Pasoeroean Residency
3. Waterval Singahan; Residentie Rembang
The Singahan Waterfall; Rembang Residency
4. De Suikerfabriek Pangka; Residentie Tagal
The sugar factory Pangka; Tagal Residency
5. Gezicht op het land Tjiliboet; Assistent-Residentie Buitenzorg
View of the land of Tjiliboet; Assistant Residency of Buitenzorg
6. De kleine Baai Srigonjo, zuidkust van Java; Assistent-Residentie Malang, Residentie Pasoeroean
The small bay of Srigonjo, south coast of Java; Assistant Residency of Malang, Pasoeroean Residency
7. Anjer, straat Sunda, Noordkust van Java; Residentie Bantam
Anjer, Sunda Strait, north coast of Java; Bantam Residency
8. De Vuurspuwende Berg Bromo in 1856; Residentie Probolingo
The erupting Mount Bromo in 1856; Probolingo Residency
9. Gezicht op de rivier de Solo; Assistent-Residentie Toeban, Residentie Rembang
View of the Solo River; Assistant Residency of Toeban, Rembang Residency
10. Gezicht op het Kawische Gebergte en op de Tabaks-onderneming; Assistent-Residentie Malang
View of the Kawische Mountains and a tobacco plantation; Assistant Residency of Malang
11. Weg van Buitenzorg naar de Vallei van den Salakh; Residentie Buitenzorg
Road from Buitenzorg to the Valley of Salakh; Buitenzorg Residency
12. De Rivier Brantas als Bergstroom; Residentie Pasoeroean
The Brantas River as a mountain stream; Pasoeroean Residency
13. Landschap in de Bataviasche ommelanden
Landscape in the surroundings of Batavia
14. Landschap in het Malangsche; Residentie Pasoeroean
Landscape in the Malang region; Pasoeroean Residency
15. Huwelijks-optocht in de Vallei van den Salakh
Wedding procession in the Valley of Salakh
16. Landschap in de Residentie Bantam
Landscape in the Bantam Residency
17. Gezicht op het land Kedong Badak en den grooten weg naar Buitenzorg
View of the land Kedong Badak and the main road to Buitenzorg
18. Dorpsfeest in de omstreken van den Ardjoeno; Residentie Soerabaja
Village festival in the surroundings of Mount Ardjoeno; Soerabaja Residency
19. Landschap bij maneschijn in de omstreken van Sumedang; Preanger regentschappen
Moonlit landscape in the surroundings of Sumedang; Preanger regencies
20. Woest Landschap; oosthoek van Java
Wild landscape; eastern corner of Java
21. De Badplaats Wendit, Assistent-Residentie Malang; Residentie Pasoeroean
The spa resort Wendit, Assistant Residency of Malang; Pasoeroean Residency
22. In het Tengersche Gebergte, oosthoek van Java
In the Tengger Mountains, eastern corner of Java
23. De groote weg van Buitenzorg, langs het land Tjsaroa over den Mogamendong, naar de Preanger Regentschappen
The main road from Buitenzorg, past the land of Tjsaroa over the Mogamendong, to the Preanger Regencies
24. In het Sumedangsche; Preanger Regentschappen
In the Sumedang region; Preanger Regencies