The Northeastern coast in Dutch Brazil - Session I
From some of Frans Post's works, we illustrate this exhibition in which we approach the impressions of the Dutch about the northeastern coast.
By Museu Marítimo EXEA
By Leandro Vilar Oliveira
The exhibition
From some of Frans Post's works, we illustrate this exhibition in which we approach the impressions of the Dutch about the northeastern coast. However, we do not limit ourselves only to Post's paintings, we also decided to use maritime reports about the coast.
Introduction
For 24 years the West-Indian Company (West-Indische Compaigne - WIC) occupied and dominated part of what is now the northeastern region of Brazil.
At the height of its occupation, during the government of João Maurício de Nassau (1638-1644), the domains of Dutch Brazil were extended from Sergipe to Maranhão.
Due to this long domination, the Dutch left some marks in the Portuguese American colony, and one of these marks were iconographic records.
Mauritiopolis (1647) by Frans PostOriginal Source: John Carter Brown Digital Library
Under the patronage of Maurice of Nassau, artists and scholars came to Brazil to study nature, economy, culture, and society. One of these artists was Dutch Frans Janszoon Post (1612-1680), born in Leyden, little is known about his history and why he decided to become a painter.
However, at the age of 25, with the invitation of Maurice of Nassau, Post travelled to Brazil in 1638, specializing in painting and drawing landscapes, from Bahia to Maranhão. In 1644 he returned to the Netherlands, and began working on his sketches.
Post's collection of paintings, drawings and engravings is one of the great legacies of Dutch Brazil.
In this exhibition, we do not limit ourselves only to Post's paintings, we also decided to use maritime reports about the coast, for this we chose the report The Torch of Navigation (Toortse der Zee-vert), written by Captain Dierick Ruiters and published in 1623...
... and the report Roteiro do Rico Brasil (Reysboeck van het Rycke Brasilien), an anonymous author, published in 1624.
Before the conquest of part of northeastern Brazil, the Dutch had already been visiting the colony in search of information, as well as doing business. Both reports reflect the Dutch interests in Brazil, which at that time was the largest producer of sugar in the West.
Siara (1647) by Frans PostOriginal Source: Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal
The Northeastern coast in Dutch Brazil - Session II
This is Session 1 of 3. Go to Session 2.
Text and research:
D.Sc. Leandro Vilar Oliveira
Translation:
M.Sc. George Henrique
Diagramming:
D.Sc. Ticiano Alves
Revision:
M.Sc. Raphaella Belmont de Siqueira Alves
Sources:
RUITERS, Dierick. A Tocha da Navegação para viajar as costas situadas ao sul do Trópico de Câncer como o Brasil, as Índias Ocidentais, etc. Introdução de Joaquim de Sousa Leão Filho. RIHGB, vol. 269, p. 3-84, out/dez 1969.
ROTEIRO do Rico Brasil, Rio da Prata, Magalhães e Le Maire, no qual podem-se ver a situação dessas terras e cidades, seus usos e costumes, produtos e fertilidades das mesmas, tudo ilustrado com estampas de cobre. Introdução de Joaquim de Sousa Leão Filho. RIHGB, vol. 303, p. 181-224, abr/jun 1974.
