Dobbelende dieren. 1770 - 1808

Jan Brandes created this watercolour and pen artwork, Dobbelende dieren, in the late 18th century. The composition is structured around a cluster of animals, each rendered with distinct textural qualities that animate the scene. Look at how Brandes uses line and color to create depth and hierarchy. The muted tones and finer details define the animals in the foreground, while the background figures, including humans, are sketched with a lighter touch. Brandes employs a semiotic system where animals, often used symbolically, here suggest a deeper commentary on human society. The act of ‘dobbelen’, or gambling, implies risk and chance, and the animals embody roles or traits mirroring human behaviours. Consider how Brandes destabilizes the traditional hierarchy in art by placing animals at the forefront, challenging viewers to re-evaluate established categories of representation and meaning. This piece opens up a space for interpreting nature not as a backdrop, but as an active participant in the human narrative.