Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp, “Arab Quarter in Semarang, Java”, 1915

Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp (1874–1950)
“Arab Quarter in Semarang, Java” (also known as “Arabisches Viertel in Semarang auf Java”, “Houses by the Water in Semarang”, and “In de Kampong, Semarang [Indonesia]”), 1915

The scene depicted in Nieuwenkamp’s etching highlights a historically significant part of the port district known as Kampung Melayu in North Semarang, Java, Indonesia. This area has long been inhabited by Arab merchants and traders. Central to the view is the Menara Mosque (Tower Mosque), built in 1802, with its distinctive Hadramaut-style minaret visible on the left. The landscape also features a variety of architectural styles, including a building with a tiered roof on the right, reflecting the diverse cultural influences and centuries of trade that have shaped this vibrant community.

While Nieuwenkamp’s father was involved in the East India trade with his fleet of ships, W.O.J. Nieuwenkamp made his own mark through a different path. Although he is best known as a painter, printmaker, and sculptor, he was also an acclaimed writer, architect, explorer, ethnologist, and collector of East Asian art. Interestingly, in 1931, Nieuwenkamp proposed the “Borobudur Lake Theory,” suggesting that the Kedu Plain was once a lake, with the Borobudur complex envisioned as a lotus flower floating on its surface (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._O._J._Nieuwenkamp). This theory remains a fascinating aspect of his legacy in understanding the ancient history of the region.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with plate tone printed in brown ink on handmade cream wove paper with full margins and deckle edges as issued. The etching was published in Vienna in 1915 by the Society for Reproductive Art (Gesellschaft für Vervielfältigende Kunst), facing page 8 in The Graphic Arts, volume 38 (XXXVIII), issue 1 (“Die Graphischen Künste, Jahrgang XXXVIII Wien Gesellschaft für Vervielfältigende Kunst 1915 Heft 1”).

This is a strong, near faultless, impression and the sheet is in pristine condition—free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or signs of handling.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 40.4 x 30.5 cm
• Plate mark: 20.5 x 22 cm
• Image Border: 18.6 x 20.1 cm

Letterpress lettering along the lower edge of the sheet:

• Left: “W.O.J. NIEUWENKAMP, ARABISCHES VIERTEL IN SEMARANG AUF JAVA. RADIERUNG.”
• Right: “VERLAG DER GESELLSCHAFT FÜR VERVIELFÄLTIGENDE KUNST, WIEN.”

Reference:

Art of the Print offers a wonderful discussion about this print and the artist: https://www.artoftheprint.com/artistpages/nieuwenkamp_wijnand_otto_jan_arabischesviertelinsemarangaufjava.htm

Price & Shipping:
AU$263 (approximately US$176/ €149.94 / £130.76), inclusive of worldwide express shipping. Please note that import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this historically important visual record of the port district in North Semarang (Java, Indonesia), please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.