Three Javanese Women Drawing Batik Designs on Cloth c. 1867 - 1910

"Three Javanese Women Drawing Batik Designs on Cloth" is a black and white photograph by Kassian Céphas, taken between 1867 and 1910. The photo depicts three Javanese women, seated in a courtyard, meticulously applying wax to a length of white cloth stretched across a frame. This process is known as batik, a traditional Indonesian textile art that involves dyeing fabric with wax-resistant patterns. The women's focused expressions and the intricate details visible on the cloth highlight the skill and dedication required in creating this intricate art form. The image provides a glimpse into a traditional Javanese practice, offering viewers a window into the cultural heritage of Indonesia. This photograph, now held in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies Céphas's work documenting everyday life in Java during the Dutch colonial period.