Tempel candi Sukuh before 1843

This print, by J. Schnell, depicts the Sukuh temple, a fifteenth-century Javanese-Hindu temple located on the slopes of Mount Lawu in Indonesia. The temple's design is markedly different from other Hindu temples of the period. Notice the pyramid-like structure in the background; some have proposed it shows possible links to pre-Columbian Mesoamerican pyramids, suggesting potential cultural exchange. More likely, it is a sign of Java’s move away from Indian influence toward a more indigenous style, reflecting Java’s unique socio-religious beliefs that fused Hinduism, Buddhism, and native ancestor worship. The print captures a moment in the colonial-era understanding of Javanese culture, an understanding deeply affected by the politics of imperial representation. To truly understand this image, we would need to examine Dutch colonial archives, travel accounts, and studies of comparative religion. What we see in this print is just one interpretation of a rich, complex history.