The Dutch artist Frans Post visited Brazil between 1637 and 1644. On his return to Europe, he painted numerous views of the country, among them this small panel. The north of Brazil, like neighbouring Suriname, was a Dutch colony (between 1630 and 1654) and was particularly valued for its cultivation of sugar. Post’s views were highly sought by Dutch collectors. Merian’s earliest impressions of South America would have been through paintings such as this.