Francoys Dancx

Window mounted with Japan paper. Overall in good condition. There are a couple of repaired tears, one at the lower margin in the centre and another at the upper margin, towards the left side. The tip of the lower left corner has also been repaired. Otherwise pen and ink remains fresh and strong.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Francoys Dancx left Amsterdam for Indonesia in 1676.  During his time there he produced a number of drawings that were later published in 1682 in Johan Nieuhof's book, Zee- en lantreize door verscheidene gewesten von Oost Indien ('Journeys by Sea and Land through various parts of the East Indies').  This book is a crucial visual record of Dutch activity in what was its most important colonial domain, and Dancx's drawings are an invaluable first-hand record of the indigenous peoples of the region.

Ambon Island is part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia.  Initially in the hands of the Portuguese, it was taken by the Dutch in 1605, and from 1610 until 1619 was the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), until the founding of Batavia (now Jakarta).  About 1615 the English formed a settlement on the island, at Cambello, which the Dutch destroyed, in a bloody massacre, in 1623.  Only in 1654 did Oliver Cromwell succeed in forcing the United Provinces to give compensation to the descendants of those who suffered in the "Ambon Massacre", to the tune of 300,000 gulden, plus the territory of Manhattan.  The massacre was also commemorated in John Dryden's 1673 tragedy Amboyna; or the Cruelties of the Dutch to the English Merchants.  Apart from two brief periods of renewed British rule (1796-1802 and 1810-14), Ambon remained Dutch until the 20th century.