Titelpagina voor Alexander ab Alexandro, Genialium dierum, deel 2, 1673 1673

This engraving, made by Gonsales Appelmans in 1673, served as the title page for the second part of Alexander ab Alexandro's "Genialium dierum." The image presents us with a staged classical scene complete with columns, statues, and a crowd of figures seemingly vying for knowledge. The central figure gestures outwards, perhaps disseminating wisdom to the eager masses below. Published in Leiden, Netherlands, the book itself is a collection of commentaries on classical antiquity. During this era, the Dutch Republic was a major center for publishing and intellectual exchange. The book trade flourished, driven by relative freedom of the press and a strong market for scholarly works. The "Officina Hackiana," mentioned at the bottom, refers to the Hackiana publishing house, highlighting the institutional context of book production. Historical analysis of publications like this reveals much about the social value placed on classical learning and the role of the printing press in shaping intellectual life in the 17th century.