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This early 17th-century engraving by Levinus Hulsius captures a historical moment from Cornelis van Houtman’s first voyage to the East Indies in 1597, specifically depicting an encounter with a ruler in Bali.
The central focus of the engraving is the Balinese king, seated in an elaborately adorned chariot drawn by two white buffaloes. The king is shaded by a large, tasseled parasol, a common symbol of authority in Southeast Asia. Surrounding him are armed retainers carrying spears and daggers, with some wearing quivers filled with arrows.
In the background, a Dutch sailing ship is visible, anchoring the scene within the context of early Dutch explorations in the Indonesian archipelago.
This engraving is based on reports from van Houtman’s expedition, which was the first Dutch attempt to establish direct trade with the spice-rich East Indies, circumventing the Portuguese monopoly. The fleet reached Bali in February 1597, where the local ruler received them with interest but also demanded cannon as tribute. This meeting was one of the first documented European encounters with Balinese royalty.
The accompanying text describes the religious beliefs and customs observed by the Dutch, particularly fire-related rituals, sun worship, and funerary rites.
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