Focus on this artwork and explore the Background.
Post was part of Johan Maurits' (aka John Maurice)’s entourage when he visited Brazil from 1637-1644.  Johan Maurits was Prince of Nassau-Siegen, a state within the Holy Roman Empire at the time, and governor of the Dutch West India Company (WIC). Post was just 23 years old and relatively unknown at the time he embarked for Brazil in October 1636, and the journey across the Atlantic took about two months.  Not much is known about his formal training or how he was chosen for the expedition. The goal of the journey was to grow Dutch territory and ease conflict in the region. At the time there were about 2,000 European colonists in Brazil, and the majority of them were affiliated with WIC. Post was brought along as part of Maurits' entourage which consisted of other artists, scientists, and naturalists, their job being to document Brazil's natural life and landscape. The trip yielded hundreds of drawings.Upon Post's return to the Netherlands, he enjoyed success as a painter.
Nassau-Siegen Brazil Holy Roman Empire WIC Dutch John Maurice Dutch West India Company Netherlands