Straat en huizen in Padang 1843 - 1845

This print of a street in Padang was made by Paulus Lauters, using the technique of steel engraving. This process involves cutting an image into a steel plate, which is then inked and used to create multiple impressions. Steel engraving, which was developed in the early 19th century, allowed for much more detail and larger editions compared to earlier copperplate engraving. Looking closely, you can see the fineness of line Lauters was able to achieve. The texture of the palm trees, the patterns of light and shadow on the buildings - all rendered with precision. It is important to remember that a print like this was not simply an aesthetic object. It was also a commodity, intended for distribution. This print offered Europeans a glimpse into a distant land, shaping perceptions of the Dutch East Indies. The labor involved – from the artist's hand to the printing press – connects this image to broader histories of trade, colonialism, and the circulation of images.