Artwork
The Kemanglen Sugar Factory near Tegal (or Tagal), Java
The Kemanglen Sugar Factory near Tegal (or Tagal), Java is an oil painting by Ab Salm. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Ab Salm's oil painting, The Kemanglen Sugar Factory near Tegal (or Tagal), Java, created in 1870, captures an industrial scene within a tropical landscape.
Ab Salm's oil painting, The Kemanglen Sugar Factory near Tegal (or Tagal), Java, created in 1870, captures an industrial scene within a tropical landscape. This work provides a visual record of sugar production in the Dutch East Indies during the late 19th century, focusing on the operations at the Kemanglen facility in Pakembaran, Tegal. The artist employs oil paint to render the bustling activity and the distinct architectural features of the factory.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a broad, sun-drenched yard bustling with activity under a clear blue sky. Numerous workers, dressed in loose attire, are engaged in various tasks across the dusty ground, suggesting manual labor related to agricultural processing. In the background, a prominent white factory building with a red roof emits smoke from its chimney, indicating ongoing industrial operations. Palm trees frame the scene, situating the factory within its Javanese environment.
Technique & Style
Salm's approach to this landscape emphasizes the bright, tropical light, rendered through a vivid blue sky dotted with white clouds. The dusty ground and the sunlit factory building are depicted with clarity, highlighting the architectural details and the expansive workspace. The figures of the workers, though small, are rendered with enough detail to convey their active roles, contributing to the overall sense of a busy, functional industrial site. The composition balances natural elements with human industry.
History & Provenance
Created in 1870, this oil painting by Ab Salm documents a significant aspect of colonial industry in Java. The work is presently housed in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it serves as a historical artifact reflecting the economic activities and landscape of the Dutch East Indies during the 19th century. Its preservation allows for continued study of both the artist's output and the era's industrial development.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
