WD2977

Dutch judge and Javanese rulers witnessing the execution and mutilation of criminals, Java. 1807.

By W.H.V. Bork[e?]

Inscribed: ‘W.H.V. Bork[e?] invt. 1807’.

Water-colour; 49 by 65.4 cm.

Note: A rather spectacular water-colour by an artist whose name is unknown. The drawing depicts a Dutch Judge, dressed in black, surrounded by six Javanese officials (one of whom is probably the ruler of a coastal Regency in north-east Java) witnessing the execution of four Javanese criminals. Two of the prisoners, dressed in white, which is the colour of death, are tied to posts while the executioners make ready to despatch them with the ceremonial ‘keris.’ On the far left one criminal lies dead, while in the centre foreground another Javanese offender is being trussed up and apparently made ready to have his limbs cut off, a punishment commonly inflicted on counterfeiters. In the background members of the ceremonial guard stand alert with spears erect, while the Dutchman and Javanese officials view the spectacle. One of the Javanese takes ‘sireh’ (betel) from his deformed servant-boy. Servants stand behind holding umbrellas. The drawing must have had special significance for Raffles as evidence of the type of capital punishment inflicted before the arrival in Java of the British, and more specifically before Lord Minto issued his proclamation on 11 September 1811 abolishing torture and mutilation.