Begrafenisstoet van de koning te Tonquin 1729

Bernard Picart's etching, 'Funeral Procession of the King in Tonquin,' presents a fascinating array of symbols connected to death and commemoration in 18th-century Vietnam. Dominating the scene are the elephants, symbols of power and wisdom, bearing ceremonial objects. The boats evoke ideas of the journey of the soul. The image's strength lies in how these motifs resonate across cultures. The elephant as a symbol of royalty appears in ancient India as well as in the Roman Empire. The belief in the afterlife is ancient and universal. Consider the psychological weight of such displays. The procession is not merely a public ceremony but a powerful affirmation of cultural values, an attempt to control the subconscious anxieties surrounding death. Through Picart's European eyes, we witness not just a funeral, but the cyclical progression of cultural symbols, each reappearance a testament to our enduring need to give meaning to life's final act.