Sirih of betelblad Possibly 1786

In 1786, Jan Brandes made this watercolor of a betel leaf while working for the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch East India Company was a powerful trading company chartered by the Dutch government in 1602. The company was given a monopoly on trade in Asia, and it quickly became one of the most important economic players in the region. The company traded in spices, textiles, and other goods. Jan Brandes was one of the many artists and scientists employed to document the natural history of the regions that they were travelling through. The betel leaf was an important item for trade due to its medicinal qualities, but also because of its extensive use in social rituals. The painting of the leaf flattens it, turning it into an icon that is meant to be interpreted rather than a symbol of scientific accuracy. We can learn more about this artwork by studying the records of the Dutch East India Company, Jan Brandes' diaries, and other historical sources.