Allegorische voorstelling van oorlogsdreiging in Zweden 1787 - 1808

Jan Brandes made this watercolor drawing of an allegorical representation of the threat of war in Sweden, sometime in the late 18th century. The application of watercolor to paper is a delicate process, demanding precision and control. Look at the different ways that Brandes has used the medium to create this bustling scene: from the soft washes of grey to create ominous storm clouds, to the defined lines to depict the figures, buildings, and ships at sea. Note the way the artist contrasts the refined activities of gentlemen drinking tea at the left of the image, with the farmers ploughing the fields, and the soldiers drilling in the background. The scene implies a society on the brink, a sense of unease and anticipation hanging in the air. Here, the contrast between the fine art of watercolor and the lives it depicts invites us to consider the social and economic implications of war.