C.J. Kleingrothe was a prolific commercial photographer who captured extensive views of the Dutch East Indies and the Malay Peninsula during the late 19th century and early decades of the 20th century. Based in Medan, Sumatra, Kleingrothe published an album, entitled ‘Sumatra’s O. K.’ (O.K. is an abbreviation for ‘Oost Kust’, which is Dutch for ‘East Coast’). The album consists of 64 photogravures documenting various facets of social and economic life in Sumatra’s East Coast under Dutch rule. Kleingrothe was also responsible for the photographic content of an early tourist guidebook on the Malay Peninsula, entitled ‘The Illustrated Guide to the Federated Malay States’.
