Java near Malang, ImeerocMarijana Nort · 1880

Identification of Java near Malang, Imeeroc

Java near Malang, Imeeroc is an oil painting by Marianne North, executed in 1880. The work captures a landscape in the region surrounding Malang, Indonesia, documenting the tropical environment through a direct, observational approach.

North produced this piece during her extensive travels through the Indonesian archipelago. The composition focuses on a tranquil riverside setting characterized by dense, lush foliage and a meandering waterway. In the background, rolling hills and mountains rise beneath a soft, diffused sky, providing a sense of geographic scale to the botanical subject matter.

The artist's signature, Marianne North, appears in the lower right corner of the canvas. This work is part of the Herbarium, Library, Art & Archives collection at Kew Gardens.

Composition and Visual Elements

A tranquil riverside landscape unfolds within the lush tropical foliage of the Malang region in Indonesia. A narrow waterway meanders through the center of the composition, framed by dense clusters of broad-leaved trees. In the foreground, a solitary figure observes the scene from behind a tree, their attire consistent with late 19th-century exploration. This placement creates a sense of quiet observation amidst the thick vegetation.

The background is defined by rolling hills and mountains covered in dense greenery. These landforms rise toward a soft, diffused sky, providing a sense of depth to the tropical setting. The arrangement of the landscape emphasizes the scale of the Indonesian terrain, moving from the detailed textures of the immediate riverside to the hazy, vegetated slopes in the distance.

Technique and Artistic Style

Executed in an Impressionistic style, the work utilizes loose brushstrokes to prioritize atmosphere over rigid academic precision. The artist employed oil on paper, a medium that facilitated the layering of pigments to achieve significant depth and luminosity. This method allows for a complex interplay of light and shadow across the composition.

The surface is notably textured, a deliberate application used to capture the effect of dappled sunlight filtering through a dense canopy. Through this tactile approach, the artist renders the specific quality of light found in a tropical environment. The color palette remains intense, relying on saturated hues to define the lushness of the landscape.

Where to See This Artwork Today

This work is held within the Collection of The Herbarium, Richmond. It is part of the Herbarium, Library, Art & Archives collection at Kew Gardens. The painting is identified by accession number MN684.

Visitors can find the piece within the Marianne North Gallery. This space houses the artist's extensive botanical records and landscape studies.