Feestmaal voor de strijd op de Banda-eilanden, 1599 1600s - 1610s

This drawing from 1599 depicts a feast before a battle in the Banda Islands, and was made by an anonymous artist. Rendered in pen and ink, the drawing's fine lines create a detailed scene of a pre-battle feast. Look closely, and you’ll notice the labor involved in cultivating nutmeg, which was the prize the Dutch sought on the Banda Islands. It appears in the foreground, seemingly being served to rows of seated figures. The drawing also shows a drummer, dancers, and other figures engaged in celebration. The detailed linework captures a sense of movement, and the careful rendering of each figure suggests a high degree of skill. The artist may not be known, but the hand evident in this sheet is certainly practiced. In the end, we can appreciate this drawing as a window into a complex historical moment. It reminds us that so-called fine art is always embedded in wider social and political realities.