Onderkoning of Sultan van Suratte 1672

This engraving, made by an anonymous artist, depicts the Onderkoning, or Sultan, of Suratte. Dominating the scene is the elephant, a symbol of royal power and authority in Indian iconography. The ruler is mounted on an elephant within an elaborate howdah, which is reminiscent of the Roman ‘Lectica’, a covered seat carried in processions. This is no mere beast of burden, but rather a moving throne, a living emblem of dominion. We see similar uses of animals of high status across time in different places. For example, horses and camels have carried similar connotations for centuries in other parts of the world. The procession and display of military strength mirrors similar displays of power in ancient Rome or Egypt. We can see the collective memory of such processions resonating through the ages, tapping into our subconscious understanding of power and authority. Consider how such images evoke both awe and a sense of inevitable subjugation, a duality that continues to affect our reading of similar events. These motifs, which express power and authority, are not fixed, but continue their journey across the ages.