Wat Koh Kaeo Suttharam Ordination Hall: Life of the Buddha - Calming the Drunken Elephant

THAILAND, Phetchaburi; Ayutthaya Kingdom

This image is painted on the north wall of the ordination hall of Wat Koh Kaeo Suttharam. The Buddha stands on the left side of the upper register. A petal-shaped red nimbus surrounds his head and colorful flames emanate from his shoulders. On the right, the black elephant shows respect by bending its front legs and bowing its head. A man appears to slide off the elephant’s back as it bends down.
A group of shocked figures in western clothing are painted in the lower register. The man standing on the far right looks especially peculiar. Wearing a monastic robe and a puffed hat, he holds a fan in his left hand and appears to shield his eyes with his right hand as he gazes up towards the Buddha. This might be a representation of how western missionaries to the Ayutthaya Kingdom wore their clothing like that of Buddhist monks to demonstrate their holiness. It reflects both the prosperous international trade and religious exchange that occurred in the kingdom.