Another sketch for my Significant Spaces and Places series which I will combine with old photos and personal stories about my Peranakan Chinese ancestors.
Still on Google Maps, following another river. This time the Melaka River in Malaysia and the Tan Kim Seng Bridge with which I have a family connection. The man being my great great great grandfather, born in Melaka in 1805.
The bridge crosses the Melaka River near the historical Dutch-era buildings. The Stadhuys (old Dutch spelling, meaning city hall) was built in 1650 and is thought to be the oldest remaining Dutch historical building in Asia. It housed the offices of the Dutch Governor. Nearby is the Clock Tower and the 18th century Dutch-built Christ Church.
What a checkered colonial history Melaka had – the Portuguese took the town in 1511, the Dutch conquered them in 1641 and the British took over in the late 18th century (apparently to prevent it from falling into the hands of the French!). Originally painted white, Christ Church and the neighbouring Stadhuys and Clock Tower were painted red in 1911. They are Melaka's iconic landmarks.
#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, #MoleskineWatercolourNotebook, 8.25”x 5"(portrait).
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