Singalese militairen in dienst van de VOC en gezanten van de koning van Kandy Possibly 1785

This drawing by Jan Brandes depicts Singalese soldiers in service of the Dutch East India Company, along with envoys from the King of Kandy. Note the prominent display of the Dutch East India Company's emblem at the center. More than a mere corporate logo, this symbol encapsulates the ambition and dominance of the Dutch in the East. The waving flags add to the sense of colonial pageantry, yet, they echo historical standards used in religious processions and imperial displays. Consider how flags and banners were used throughout history in varied religious and military contexts. Think of the Roman standards or the processional crosses carried during Christian ceremonies, and how they conveyed power. These symbols evolved, adapted, and were reinterpreted across cultures, resurfacing in this colonial context as tools of subjugation. Each bearing a history of power and emotional depth.