Items Similar to Tafra Island in Suriname - A Romantic River Landscape by Karl Martin, 1888
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Tafra Island in Suriname - A Romantic River Landscape by Karl Martin, 1888
$309.76
£230.13
€260
CA$429.50
A$461.89
CHF 246.97
MX$5,570.26
NOK 3,123.15
SEK 2,845.59
DKK 1,981.63
About the Item
Tafra Island Suriname River View 1888 Dutch West Indies by Karl Martin
This atmospheric river landscape depicting Tafra Island in Suriname was published in 1888 as part of Karl Martin’s important scientific work Bericht über eine Reise nach Niederländisch West-Indien, issued by the prestigious Leiden academic publisher E. J. Brill. Karl Martin, Professor of Geology at the University of Leiden, documented not only the geological structure of the Dutch West Indies and Dutch Guiana, but also produced a refined series of landscape views capturing the natural environments encountered during his expedition.
Tafra Island is a small tropical island located within the intricate river systems of Suriname, part of the historic Dutch Guiana region of South America. Surrounded by dense rainforest and calm waterways, the island lies within one of the most ecologically rich environments of the Caribbean–South American coastal zone. In this composition, the quiet river stretches across the foreground, bordered by lush vegetation, towering rock formations, and cascading vines that drape dramatically over the riverbanks. A small canoe gliding across the water introduces a human presence and sense of scale, emphasizing the vastness and stillness of the tropical landscape.
Executed in delicate lithography with subtle hand tinting in warm golden tones, this print balances scientific observation with Romantic landscape aesthetics. Soft cloud formations drift above the dense forest canopy, while gentle reflections ripple across the water’s surface. The restrained palette and refined line work give the image both serenity and visual depth, making it as suitable for contemporary interiors as for more traditional settings.
Historically, this plate forms part of the most important Dutch scientific documentation of the Caribbean and South American colonial territories in the late 19th century. It reflects the European fascination with tropical geography, river systems, geological formations, and remote natural environments at a time when scientific expeditions were fundamentally reshaping knowledge of the natural world. Original landscape views from Martin’s Suriname and Caribbean series are increasingly scarce and highly sought after by collectors.
This print works beautifully as a standalone wall piece and also pairs exceptionally well with Martin’s geological maps of Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire as part of a cohesive Dutch West Indies and Guiana exploration wall set.
Condition Report
Original lithograph in very good antique condition. Even overall age toning consistent with late 19th-century paper. Minor scattered foxing, primarily confined to the outer margins. Image remains clean and well preserved with strong clarity. No losses, no restorations, and no structural damage.
Framing Tips
This print frames beautifully in dark walnut, black lacquer, or antique gold frames with a soft ivory or warm sand-tone museum mat. For a contemporary interior, it can be floated in a deep shadow-box frame to reveal the full sheet edges. Especially effective in coastal interiors, libraries, studies, and tropical-themed design spaces.
Technique: Lithograph
Maker: Karl Martin, Leiden, 1888
- Dimensions:Height: 7.49 in (19 cm)Width: 11.03 in (28 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1888
- Condition:Original lithograph in very good antique condition. Even overall age toning consistent with late 19th-century paper. Minor scattered foxing, primarily confined to the outer margins. Image remains clean and well preserved with strong clarity.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-14171-71stDibs: LU3054347827922
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2009
1stDibs seller since 2017
2,826 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Langweer, Netherlands
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllSuriname Jungle Life
Sacred Stone - Lithograph Pair by Karl Martin, 1888
Located in Langweer, NL
Suriname Jungle Life & Sacred Stone Lithograph Pair by Karl Martin 1888
This rare and evocative paired set of lithographic plates was published in 1888 as part of Karl Martin’s impo...
Category
Antique 1880s Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
Antique Print of the Paminger Lakes
Borneo
by M.T.H. Perelaer, 1888
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print of the Paminger lakes of Borneo, Indonesia. This print originates from 'Het Kamerlid van Berkestein in Nederlandsch-Indie.', (translation: van Berkestein, member of the...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Prints
Materials
Paper
Antique Venezuela La Guaira Landscape - Dutch Colonial Tinted Lithograph, 1888
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Venezuela La Guaira Landscape 1888 Dutch Colonial Tinted Lithograph
This atmospheric 19th-century tinted lithograph depicts a rural landscape in the La Guaira region of coas...
Category
Antique 1880s Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
Brantas River as a Mountain Stream – East Java Landscape Lithograph, 1872
Located in Langweer, NL
Brantas River as a Mountain Stream – East Java Landscape Lithograph, 1872
This luminous and tranquil scene captures the Brantas River in its early, mountainous course, flowing throu...
Category
Antique 1870s Prints
Materials
Paper
Laut Tador Lake, Sumatra — Antique Kleingrothe Photogravure c.1900
Located in Langweer, NL
Laut Tador Lake, Sumatra — Antique Kleingrothe Photogravure c.1900
A beautifully composed original photogravure by C.J. Kleingrothe, featuring the tr...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
Canal at Loeboe Dalam, Sumatra, C J Kleingrothe, Dutch East Indies c1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Loeboe Dalam Canal, Sumatra – Kleingrothe Photogravure c.1900
An original early 20th-century photogravure by renowned photographer C.J. Kleingrothe, showcasing the tranquil Loeboe D...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Maps
Materials
Paper
You May Also Like
Bords d
une rivière avec deux bateaux (River banks with two boats)
By Charles-Emile Jacque
Located in Middletown, NY
Etching on chine collé mounted to white wove paper, 3 11/16 x 5 (92 x 125 mm), full margins. In good condition with minor mat tone. Printed by Delâtre, Paris.
[Guiffrey 34]
Category
Mid-19th Century French School Landscape Prints
Materials
Handmade Paper, Etching
Tropical River Landscape in Sunset Glow, Dusk, by Joseph Firmenich, 1868.
Located in Berlin, DE
Tropical river landscape in sunset glow, signed, dated, Joseph Firmenich 1868, oil on canvas.
Very decorative and large painting. Canvas has been res...
Category
19th Century Landscape Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$6,671 Sale Price
20% Off
A VENEZUELAN STATION and THE FALLS OF "EL NEGRO" CUYUNI RIVER
By Harry Fenn
Located in Portland, ME
Fenn, Harry. A VENEZUELAN STATION and THE FALLS OF "EL NEGRO" CUYUNI RIVER. Ink and wash, 1896. Two drawings, the original artwork for illustrations accompanying "Glimpses of Venzuela," an article by W. Nephew King published in Century Magazine, July, 1896, pp. 358-368. Each about 9 x 11 inches, in very good condition, and framed. King is best known for his writings about the Spanish-American War of 1898. Harry Fenn, 1845-1911, was born in England, but worked in the United States. He was a painter, and printmaker, but is known primarily as a book and magazine illustrator. He illustrated books of poetry for John Greenleaf Whittier, and in 1870 was hired to do illustrations for Picturesque America, which was edited by William Cullen Bryant...
Category
1890s Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
Materials
Acrylic Polymer, Ink
Indonesian Landscape
, Mooi Indië, Javanese, Djakarta, RMS Otranto
By Raden Soekardji
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed lower left, 'Soekardji' for Raden Soekardji (Indonesian, 1880-1950), painted circa 1950 and bearing shipping label from RMS. Otranto.
An elegant and lyrical oil by this noted...
Category
1950s Realist Landscape Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Ancient View of Batavia - Original Lithograph - Half of the 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient View of Batavia is an original modern artwork realized in the first half of the 19th Century.
Original B/W Lithograph on Ivory Paper.
Inscripted on the lower margin in Ca...
Category
Early 19th Century Modern Landscape Prints
Materials
Lithograph
Bords de l
Oudon - Etching by Tancrède Abraham - 1863
Located in Roma, IT
Bords de l'Oudon is a black and White etching realized by Tancrède Abraham in 1863.
Titled in the lower
Image Size: 22x36
Very good impression.
Realized by Cadart for the "Socié...
Category
1860s Barbizon School Figurative Prints
Materials
Etching
