Frontispiece with Vegetal Medallion and Latin Dedication surrounding a Coat of Arms (Recto); Page of Spanish Writing within Border (Verso) 1700 - 1800

This is an anonymous, undated, ink on paper drawing of a frontispiece, which is a decorative design for the title page of a book. The drawing depicts a dedication to Don Joseph Alfonso, framed by symbols of power and prestige. At its center, a coat of arms is surrounded by a Latin inscription referencing Charles IV, King of Spain from 1788 to 1808. The drawing’s border, filled with delicate floral and vegetal motifs, softens the rigid formality expected of such a piece. This combination of heraldic imagery with organic, flowing designs invites us to consider the complexities of identity and status in the Spanish colonial world. It blends displays of authority with more intimate, personal touches. What does it mean to assert one's place within a hierarchy, while also seeking to cultivate a sense of individuality? This frontispiece offers a glimpse into how personal identity could be asserted within the structures of power.