Fort Kranganoor bij Cochin 1785

Jan Brandes created this watercolor of Fort Cranganore, near Cochin, during his travels in the late 18th century. Brandes, as a clergyman working for the Dutch East India Company, documented landscapes and settlements, reflecting the intertwined nature of religious, commercial, and colonial expansion. Here, the fort stands starkly against the Indian landscape, symbolizing European power and control. We might consider Brandes's positionality and the lens through which he viewed this land. How does his identity as a religious figure and representative of a colonial power shape the narrative of this image? The watercolor aesthetic, delicate and picturesque, masks the underlying violence and exploitation inherent in colonial projects. What untold stories lie beneath the serene surface of this image? This watercolor invites us to reflect on the complexities of cultural exchange, power dynamics, and the enduring legacies of colonialism.