Testamenten van Brandes 1778 - 1785

This is Jan Brandes's handwritten will, created on April 23, 1778. Brandes was a Dutch minister, artist, and traveler whose life and work offer a window into the complexities of the 18th-century colonial world. Brandes served in the Dutch East Indies, a place rife with social hierarchies and racial tensions, and his art and writings often reflected his observations of the cultures he encountered. As a man of the cloth, his position within the colonial structure granted him a degree of authority, yet his personal views often challenged the status quo. This document, made during a period of Dutch expansion and exploration, invites us to reflect on the legacies of colonialism. It is a personal and legal document that brings into focus broader historical questions about power, identity, and representation. Through his will, Brandes leaves behind a trace of himself, enmeshed in the intricate web of global exchange and cultural encounter.