Vlinders van Java Possibly 1784

Jan Brandes made this page of butterfly studies, Vlinders van Java, in 1784, using ink and watercolor. The artwork appears on a page from a sketchbook or journal, and is more than just a simple rendering. Brandes was not only an artist, but a clergyman and traveler who worked for the Dutch East India Company. This meant he was part of a global economic network and one of the earliest examples of globalization: the intense circulation of goods, people, and ideas. The image reveals the artist’s precise method, documenting his encounter with nature and transforming it into a colonial enterprise. The butterfly specimens, rendered with careful detail, show an early form of what we now call ‘scientific illustration.’ The level of precision and attention to detail is clear: it is a study that bridges the gap between art, science, and commerce. The materiality of ink and watercolor enables Brandes to capture the colors and textures of the butterflies with remarkable accuracy, each one a specimen that has been carefully chosen, pinned and presented for closer analysis. By appreciating the materials and method behind this, we are not only looking at an image but are also reflecting on the history of natural sciences and cultural exchange.