Zeelieden en indeling van een schip 1779 - 1788

This undated drawing, "Sailors and layout of a ship", was created by Jan Brandes. Brandes lived in the 18th century, a time when the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, with ships crisscrossing the globe for trade and exploration, but also playing a central role in the exploitation of enslaved people. The sketch gives us a glimpse into the lives of the sailors who manned these ships. It is rendered in delicate strokes showing figures that seem almost ghostly. Brandes' focus on the human element, with sketches of faces and bodies, invites us to reflect on their individual stories within the larger context of maritime trade and colonialism. Consider the conditions these sailors faced: long voyages, harsh weather, and the ever-present risk of death. Their labor fueled the Dutch economy, yet their identities were often subsumed by the demands of empire. What does it mean to consider the human cost of exploration and commerce, then and now?