A Bound Elephant being led from the Last Section of the trap, the Prison Corral 1785

This watercolor painting by Dutch artist Jan Brandes depicts a scene from 1785 of a bound elephant being led out of a trap in India. The artwork captures the animal's struggle as it is being forced into submission, with men using ropes and a wooden structure to restrain it. The scene offers a glimpse into the colonial practices and the treatment of animals during this era. The small size of the artwork, measuring only 195 mm in height and 155 mm in width, suggests it was likely a part of a larger collection of illustrations or sketches. This work, created during a time of intense colonial exploration and discovery, provides a powerful visual record of a historical event.