Heiligdom bij Negapatnam op de kust van Coromandel Possibly 1785

Jan Brandes made this delicate watercolor and pen drawing of a Hindu sanctuary near Negapatnam on the Coromandel Coast. The monumentality of the stone sculpture, temple, and tiered tower contrasts with the gentle wash of color. Brandes applied thin layers of diluted pigment to create the illusion of light, shadow, and atmospheric perspective. But he was also careful to render details such as the stone carving, the trees in the middle distance, and the figure of the attendant. In contrast to other types of drawing, watercolor forbids the possibility of revision. Every mark counts. As a clergyman and keen observer, Brandes understood the power of images to convey information about far-flung lands, especially for those who would never travel there. While his patron might have regarded this artwork primarily for its illustrative value, it also demonstrates Brandes’s sophisticated application of watercolor and pen techniques. This challenges us to see how craft and fine art traditions intertwine.