Sinhalese soldier and a squatting labourer 1662

Esaias Boursse sketched "Sinhalese soldier and a squatting labourer" with pen in the 17th century, amidst the Dutch colonial presence in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. Boursse, employed by the Dutch East India Company, offers us a glimpse into the power dynamics of the time. The soldier, armed and erect, stands in stark contrast to the hunched, vulnerable figure of the laborer. There’s a palpable tension in their positioning. What does it mean to see these two figures, representatives of labor and military might, juxtaposed in this way? This work prompts us to consider the emotional and physical toll of colonialism on the local population. The laborer's posture speaks volumes about subjugation and loss, set against a backdrop of colonial expansion. It reminds us to consider the personal stories embedded within broader historical narratives.