Dekzicht van een VOC-schip naar de grote mast Possibly 1778 - 1787

Jan Brandes created this watercolor drawing of a Dutch East India Company ship in the 18th century. The ship and the sea are potent symbols, representing adventure, commerce, and the unknown. Consider the mast, a central structure, reaching towards the sky, a symbol of aspiration and connection between the earthly and celestial realms. Similar to the Tree of Life in many cultures, or even the Greek Column. Now note the ropes, which create a network, evoking the idea of human connection and destiny. Like Ariadne’s thread, or the Fates’ spun string. Observe the cannons, small yet significant, which remind us that even in moments of exploration and discovery, the potential for conflict remains. The emotional weight of this drawing lies in its subtle suggestion of human ambition, fear, and the eternal quest for knowledge, all balanced on the vast, indifferent sea.