Edelman in draagstoel op Bali, 1597 1597 - 1646

This anonymous engraving from 1597 depicts a Balinese nobleman, or 'Edelman', being carried in a palanquin. It offers us a glimpse into the early encounters between Europe and Southeast Asia, specifically through the lens of Dutch expansion. Consider the power dynamics embedded in this image. The nobleman, elevated and passively transported, contrasts sharply with the anonymous Balinese men burdened with the task of carrying him. The act of portraying the nobleman in this way, and the laborers as faceless, flattens the diversity and complexity of Balinese society. How might those being forced to carry the nobleman feel, knowing that their bodies were being used to signal someone else's superiority? As we examine this image, let’s reflect on how historical representations can reinforce systems of power and obscure individual stories. It invites us to consider whose perspectives are prioritized.