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Watercolor, gouache and gilding on parchment. In iconography, depictions of elephants have long been associated with military victories – likely since the Romans started using elephants in the Punic wars. Elephants are a symbol of Triumph or the Roman chariot of Glory. Inscribed in Latin around the cartouche of the elephant: STIMULOS DEDIT ÆMULA VIRTUS (“he was spurred on by rival valor”), from Lucan's Pharsalia, refers to the spurs, stimulating energy, in the form of a serpent wrapped around the elephant's leg. The central subject of the elephant is supplemented with additional military symbols and allegorical figures around the edge of the cartouche.