Paus Innocentius XI ontvangt het gezantschap van de koning van Siam, 23 december 1688 1688 - 1709

This engraving by Johann Christoph Boecklin captures Pope Innocent XI receiving the Siamese embassy on December 23, 1688. The composition is structured by a stark contrast between the static, elevated figures of the Pope and his clergy, and the active, prostrating figures of the Siamese envoys. Notice how Boecklin uses line and space to convey power dynamics. The Pope, framed by a heavy curtain, extends his hand, while the envoys kneel, their bodies forming a diagonal that leads the eye from the lower right to the upper left. This visual arrangement establishes a clear hierarchy. The texture of the engraving is detailed, capturing the ornate fabrics and architectural elements, yet the contrast between light and shadow accentuates the distance and difference between the two cultures. This artwork functions as a potent signifier of cultural encounter and religious authority. Boecklin uses the formal elements of the engraving to communicate not just a historical event but also the prevailing worldview of Europe at the time, emphasizing its religious and cultural dominance.