Titelpagina voor: Adriaan Loosjes Pz. 'Huig de Groot en Maria van Reigersbergen', 1794 1794

Reinier Vinkeles created this title page in 1794 using engraving, a printmaking technique where lines are cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The precision of engraving allows for fine detail, seen here in the delicate lines that define the allegorical scene: the chest, the pyramid, the smoking urn. These elements aren't just images; they're carriers of cultural meaning. This was a reproductive medium, a means of circulating images and ideas widely. The labor involved in creating an engraving – the careful cutting, inking, and printing – speaks to a pre-industrial mode of production, where skill and craftsmanship were central to the creation of visual culture. Each print required careful handwork. Consider how the texture of the paper and the depth of the ink contribute to the overall effect. These material qualities are integral to the artwork's significance. By attending to these details, we can appreciate the artistry and the social context embedded within this seemingly simple title page, recognizing the blend of craft and fine art.