You have chosen Time for History
SIAMESE IMAGERY OF THE EUROPEAN CULTURE
The national restoration process, which took place after the fall of
Ayudhya, transformed the Thai attitude towards foreigners. No longer
was Siam invincible under the protection of the devaraja.
Nevertheless, the early Chakri Kings adhered to and carefully
preserved the concept of devaraja. This was clearly reflected in the
architecture of their Bangkok palaces and temples, built during the
reigns of Kings Rama I - III.
King Rama I built the Grand Palace firstly as a stronghold to replace
King Taksin’s site on the west bank of the river. He then developed
it, as well as the Royal Chapel using the Tribhumi cosmology as the
model. He also developed Wat Pho, the old temple to the south of the
palace, into a royal temple with new buildings which derive from the
Tribhumi. King Rama II built and patronised the development of so many
edifices in the same line, particularly the landmark Wat Arun, the
Temple of Dawn. Here, the symbolism is quite transparent. Clearly seen
are the central spire, which is Meru, and the cardinal spires, which
represent the four continents. King Rama III introduced the Chinese
architectural decorative elements as a personal preference, intended
to reinforce the celestial vision.
A number of art works and decorative elements of the period depict the
Thai imagery of Europe and the European. An early Thai vision of The
European may be seen in the mural painting in the Royal Chapel at the
Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This Rama III period painting depicts
Europeans as members of Mara’s forces, representing the Lord Buddha’s
inner struggle prior to his enlightenment. European soldiers stand
guard as portal guardians on doors and windows at the chapel of Wang
Na, the palace of the heir to the throne, now part of the Fine Arts
Department’s College of Dramatic Arts. In the same building, there are
fanciful depictions of European cities, painted by someone who
obviously had never been to Europe. The most famous mural paintings
depicting European images are within the grand hall of Wat Suthat
Thepwararam. Here the famous and prolific Buddhist monk, Krua In
Khong, painted scene after scene of European landscapes, people and
vessels, etc. in his famous series of pictorial Buddhist riddles. The
series dates to the Rama IV period.
02. December 2004