Titelblad til B. G. Sporon "Entydige Danske Ords Bemærkelse" 1778

Georg Haas created this title page for B. G. Sporon's "Entydige Danske Ords Bemærkelse" in 1778 using etching. This was a period defined by the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and language. The title page is an intriguing reflection of its time. It features a cherubic figure writing on a scroll, which bears the inscription "Dulce loquentem", meaning "sweetly speaking." This phrase encapsulates the era's focus on eloquent and clear communication. The choice of Danish reflects a growing sense of national identity and linguistic pride amidst the influence of German in intellectual circles. Consider Haas's own identity as the son of a medalist; his artistic path intertwined with the cultural values of 18th-century Denmark. This title page invites us to consider the power of words, both in shaping understanding and in expressing the nuanced identities of a people and a period.