Noordkapers Possibly 1778

Jan Brandes made this pen and wash drawing of ‘Noordkapers’ or North Atlantic Right Whales in 1778. Brandes was a Dutch clergyman and artist who traveled extensively in the late 18th century. This image comes from his journal, filled with observations of flora, fauna, and people encountered during his voyages. As an artist and clergyman, Brandes occupied a unique position, straddling the line between scientific observation and colonial exploitation. His drawings reflect both a genuine curiosity about the natural world and the prevailing attitudes towards non-European cultures and environments. Here, the whales are rendered with a dispassionate, almost clinical eye. Brandes meticulously documents their physical characteristics. Yet, the image also evokes a sense of the whale’s vulnerability. The Dutch translation that accompanies the image details what it was like to encounter these whales: “He struck his fin on the water in the wind, and spewed all 100 fountains up.” Brandes' drawing reminds us of the complex interplay between exploration, documentation, and exploitation in the age of colonialism.