Kleine vogel op tak Possibly 1785

Jan Brandes made this watercolor drawing of a small bird on a branch around 1786. It's made with watercolor paint and ink on paper, within a bound sketchbook. The artist has depicted the bird with great care, with attention to the details of its plumage, using delicate brushstrokes and washes of color. The way the watercolor paint has been applied, with its fluid and translucent qualities, emphasizes the lightness and fragility of the bird. The meticulous details and precise rendering suggest the hand of someone familiar with craft traditions. This level of detail suggests a scientific illustration, akin to those made during the exploration of the so-called New World. It is important to remember that images like this were produced in the context of colonial expansion, scientific exploration, and the global trade in exotic specimens. By considering the materials, the making, and the wider context, we can more fully appreciate its meaning.