Joan Ketelaar’s Embassy to the King of Udaipur c. 1711

This large-scale painting depicts "Joan Ketelaar’s Embassy to the King of Udaipur," made by an anonymous artist at an unknown date. The painting employs a bird's-eye view perspective, dividing the space into layered registers filled with a multitude of figures. Here, the composition is built upon a series of horizontal bands that structure the narrative space. The artist uses line and color to differentiate groups and activities. Notice how the meticulous rendering of each figure, regardless of its size or placement, suggests a democratized field of vision, challenging traditional hierarchies of representation. Semiotically, the repetitive depiction of figures might denote not just a crowd but also the collective nature of political and social events. The work destabilizes our understanding of space and perspective, inviting multiple interpretations. This challenges fixed meanings and emphasizes the dynamic interplay between different visual elements. Through this, it presents a complex view of cultural exchange.