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European with a Ceylonese in a landscape near Pantatarippu

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European with a Ceylonese in a landscape near Pantatarippu

Rocquette, Johan de la

Portrait of a European and a Ceylonese against a backdrop of the Dutch Reformed church at Pantatarippu.

The Ceylonese is of the Vellala of Belales tribe, a member of an influential caste in northern Ceylon traditionally active in agriculture.

It has long been assumed that the European depicted here is Phillipus Baldaeus, who founded many Dutch Reformed churches around Jaffna. The man's attire is striking: he wears a mogul coat and even a turban.

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Sources and literature

Silva, R.K. de en W.G.M. Beumer, Illustrations and Views of Dutch Ceylon 1602 - 1796 (1988)