Zeekwallen Possibly 1788

This is a page of drawings of sea creatures made by Jan Brandes in 1788. This image is interesting not just for what it shows, but for what it suggests about the culture of its time. In the 18th century, the Dutch Republic was a major center for scientific study, particularly in the natural sciences. This was encouraged by institutions such as universities and scientific societies. The growth of this field was also spurred by the country's vast colonial empire. It became fashionable for Dutch people to collect exotic specimens and to learn about the wider world. In this context, art was seen as having a scientific purpose. Artists like Brandes were expected to make accurate depictions of animals and plants. But, the images here also have a social function. This page comes from a personal journal. So, we might imagine that Brandes made these images for his own edification, as a way of making sense of the world around him. Historians rely on such journals and letters to understand the social and intellectual context of art.