Pisangboom Possibly 1779 - 1788

"Pisangboom" (Banana Tree) is a watercolor on paper by Dutch artist Jan Brandes, dated possibly between 1779 and 1788. This botanical illustration, which measures 195 mm in height and 310 mm in width, depicts a banana tree, with a large, central trunk, growing in the foreground, while two figures, likely Indigenous people, walk past in the background. Brandes's meticulous detail is evident in the careful rendering of the leaves and trunk. This work is a testament to the artist's ability to capture the delicate beauty of the natural world.