Album amicorum met negen bijdragen 1847 - 1849

This is an album amicorum with nine contributions, made by various artists. These so-called ‘friendship books’ were popular across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany, from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Usually small and portable, like this one, they served as a means for individuals, often students or those in academic circles, to collect signatures, poems, and small artworks from their friends and acquaintances. The album was a social object, reflecting the owner's network and status. The contributions, ranging from simple signatures to elaborate drawings or verses, would offer insights into the values, beliefs, and social connections of the owner and their circle. Historians can use these albums to reconstruct social networks, trace the movement of ideas, and gain a more intimate understanding of early modern and modern social life. They offer glimpses into personal relationships and social conventions that more formal historical documents often overlook.