Thais rivierlandschap met lijkstatie

About this artwork

ets

Art Historical Context

**Thais rivierlandschap met lijkstatie** (Thai River Landscape with Funeral Bier), an etching by Dutch artist Adolf van der Laan from 1730, measures a modest 152 × 196 mm. Created during the waning years of the Dutch Golden Age, this print captures an exotic riverside scene in Thailand, featuring a *lijkstatie*—a traditional funeral bier or pavilion where bodies were displayed before cremation, a striking element of Southeast Asian customs. Van der Laan, known for his intricate landscapes and architectural views, likely drew from Dutch East India Company reports or traveler accounts, reflecting Europe's growing fascination with distant lands amid expanding trade routes. Etching, the medium here (noted simply as *ets* in inventories), allowed van der Laan to achieve delicate lines and tonal depth by biting acid into a metal plate. This technique was ideal for conveying the lush, atmospheric quality of a tropical river landscape, with its winding waters, distant hills, and human activity centered on the somber bier. Such prints were prized for their affordability and detail, enabling wider dissemination of "exotic" imagery. This work highlights 18th-century curiosity about Asian cultures, blending precise observation with a touch of the macabre. A window into colonial-era exchanges, it invites visitors to ponder how far Dutch eyes wandered in pursuit of the world's wonders.

About the Artist

Adolf van der Laan · 1680–1742

Comment on works: copper engraver