Spinnenkoppen Possibly 1785

"Spinnenkoppen" is a watercolor drawing by Dutch artist Jan Brandes (1743–1808). It depicts the head of a spider, possibly created in 1785. The artwork is noted for its precise rendering of the spider's anatomy, including its eight eyes and the hairs on its cephalothorax. Brandes's detailed observation of the spider's physical characteristics was likely influenced by the growing popularity of microscopy in the 18th century. This artwork exemplifies the genre of natural history illustration and offers insight into Brandes's interest in the natural world.