Nightjar Possibly 1784 - 1787

This image of a Nightjar was made in 1784 by Jan Brandes, and we can see it was carefully drawn with ink on paper. But let’s not see it simply as a picture of a bird. Think about what it meant to picture the natural world at this moment in the Netherlands. This drawing comes from a time when natural history was becoming a popular science, fueled by colonial exploration and the desire to classify and control the natural world. Brandes’ detailed depiction reflects a growing interest in observing and documenting nature. The detailed notes surrounding the image provide more information about the bird's behavior and sound, referencing the way it sounds like 'hammer on a plank'. The drawing style, with its attention to detail, speaks to the values of scientific accuracy and empirical observation. The natural world was ripe for investigation. To understand this work fully, we can look at the scientific and artistic conventions of the period and the ways in which images of nature were used to reinforce particular ways of seeing the world. These historical and cultural contexts are what give such images their full meaning.