Bouwtekening van een huis Possibly 1779 - 1788

This is a page with a pencil drawing by Jan Brandes, titled "Bouwtekening van een huis" which translates to "Construction drawing of a house". Brandes lived during a time of significant social change, including the rise of the Dutch Republic and its colonial activities. Brandes served as a draughtsman for the Dutch East India Company. Consider the identity of the artist and the context in which he created this drawing. The drawing is not just an architectural plan, but is suggestive of Dutch colonial expansion and its global impact. What kind of home is it? Who is it for? Is it meant for export, or for the colonizers? The drawing hints at global power dynamics of the 18th century. Brandes's sketch encourages us to consider the relationship between architecture, power, and identity during the Dutch Golden Age, and how these elements shaped the world we inhabit today. It encourages us to reflect on the legacy of colonialism.