Titelpagina voor: Jan Jansz Orlers, Beschryving der stad Leyden. Eerste deel, 1760 1760

This is the title page of the first volume of Jan Jansz Orlers's "Description of the City of Leyden," printed in 1760. Though the artist remains anonymous, the work speaks volumes about the cultural values of the Dutch Golden Age. Amidst the detailed chronicles of Leiden's history, from its sieges to its academic institutions, we glimpse a society grappling with its identity. The text emphasizes the city's resilience and intellectual prowess, yet the very act of documenting these achievements suggests an anxiety about legacy and remembrance. Who gets to write history, and whose stories are deemed worthy of preservation? Consider the role of the printing press in shaping collective memory. This book makes knowledge accessible but also dictates the narrative. What stories are left untold, and what perspectives are marginalized in this meticulously crafted account of Leiden's past? The emotional resonance of this title page lies in its silent acknowledgment of the complexities inherent in constructing a shared identity.