Gezicht op de kust van Ternate en Gunung Gamalama, vanuit de zee, Noord-Molukken c. 1821

Adrianus Johannes Bik made this pencil drawing of the coast of Ternate and Gunung Gamalama in the North Moluccas. The artist worked with graphite, a relatively common material, but one that became increasingly important as industrialization demanded accurate record-keeping. Here, pencil allows for a high degree of precision in depicting the landscape and ships on the water. The delicate strokes capture the light and atmospheric perspective, giving a sense of depth to the composition. The artist’s hand moves deftly to describe the scene, layering the graphite to create subtle tonal variations. What is interesting is how Bik has used a tool of documentation and industry to capture the view of a remote colonial territory. Consider the labor that underwrote this image, that of the sailors on those ships, or the plantation workers on the island itself. It underscores how drawing, often seen as a fine art practice, is deeply intertwined with broader economic and political forces.