This early birds-eye view of Batavia provides a

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Uncoloured

Condition: Very Good

Confirmed: 2/1/2025

Date Acquired: 10/4/2024

Dealers ID No.: 19311

Description: This early birds-eye view of Batavia provides a detailed depiction of the citys center, showcasing its canals and canal houses. North is oriented to the left, where the back entrance of Batavia Castle and its warehouses can be seen. On the far right, notable landmarks include the City Hall and the Portuguese Church. In the background, at the top of the view, lies Citadel Rotterdam, marking the eastern entrance to the city.nIn the foreground, Chinatown is prominently displayed. Several houses with neck gables, topped by reclining moons, are depicted engulfed in flames. To the right, men can be seen priming cannons aimed at the largest house in the row, which is the residence of the Chinese Captain. The streets in front of these houses are chaotic, with crowds of people dressed in European and Eastern attire engaged in violent clashes, wielding guns, knives, and clubs. Bodies float in the canal adjacent to the street, and nearby waterways are similarly littered with corpses, illustrating the widespread carnage.nTo the right of the scene is a large building marked with the letter A, which is identified as the Batavia City Hall. Below the illustration, six stanzas of verse describe the massacre that occurred. The title at the top of the image is transcribed and translated as follows:n''Title'': Afbeelding van dat gedeelte van BATAVIA, alwaar eigentlyk de Schrikkelyke Slagting der CHINEZEN, na de Ontdekking van hun verraad, geschied is, den 9. Octob: 1740.nImage of that part of BATAVIA, where the terrible massacre of the CHINESE actually took place, after the discovery of their treachery, on October 9, 1740.n''Translation of the Verse Below the Image:''nBatavia, famous in Asia and Europe,nHas been shown in its greatest splendor in this tableau;nThus also how atrocity promises her certain ruin,nWhen she falls victim to the wrath of those wronged.nThe treachery, gradually forged and risen to the top,nBursts out, to a country's ruin, in the end terribly,nAnd often costs the downfall of countries and kingdoms,nIf it's not stopped at its inception.nA people, without reason, out of mutiny, unjustly,nTrying to step on the heart of its legitimate authority,nDeserves no pity, but the strictest punishment,nAnd has rightly earned the hatred of all.nThus, the vile treachery is punished according to its worth;nThe Chinese brood, incited by the thirst for murder,nIntending to bathe in Christian blood, with cruel tyranny,nIs here itself murdered in blood.nTheir Captain, whose house was bombarded with artillery,nSeeing the fire rise, tries to flee in that state;nBut, recognized by the people, surrounded and enclosed, henIs himself captured in his womanly attire.nThus, Heaven cares for the well-being of all its own,nNo matter how great the distress sometimes may be in a country,nAnd makes the Sun of Peace shine again, after Storm and Disaster,nWhen those, who deserved its punishment, are gone.

Engraver: van der Laan, Adolf

First published: Separate publication. Amsterdam: Bernardus Mourik, 1741

Mapmaker: Van der Laan, Adolf

Other states: See View Record (#367)

Price: 800

Primary Category: Prints & Related Material

Purchase Reference: Ledger

Rarity: Only copy

Sheet size (cm): 57×42

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1741