Manggistan Possibly 1784

Jan Brandes created this watercolor of the Manggistan, or mangosteen, around 1784, as part of his detailed botanical studies. Brandes was employed by the Dutch East India Company, whose economic reach was deeply entwined with colonial expansion and exploitation. Brandes' meticulous depiction of the mangosteen emerges from this complex historical context, where scientific curiosity was inseparable from imperial power. Here, Brandes captures not just the fruit’s physical appearance but also its sensual qualities. The cross-sections, with their juicy, white segments and deep red rind, evoke a sense of exoticism. Brandes seems to be inviting the viewer to imagine the fruit's taste, engaging both the visual and gustatory senses. The text above the image reads "the white of the inside is weak and tastes soft and sweet", which emphasizes the exoticism felt by the artist. Consider how this image, with its rich textures and colors, also speaks to the relationship between knowledge, desire, and colonial power.