Batik by J. Jans

You may have encountered some batik, or Indonesian textile, in museums. Many batiks are grouped per period or style with a particular focus on the makers’ ‘race’ or ethnic background. Batiks with a European influence are shown as a separate group, but are they really a separate group or part of a larger trend? And can these makers, or better yet: batik bosses, be divided into groups based on their ethnicity?

To answer these questions, it is important to look deeper for a better understanding of the story. Let’s dive into one of the batiks made during the Dutch East Indies era: Batik by J. Jans