Titel en titelvignet met bloem ornamenten 1644

This title page was made in the Netherlands in the mid-17th century by Cornelis van Dalen I, most likely using an engraving technique on a metal plate, probably copper. The crisp lines and precise lettering speak to the skill required to incise the metal, a testament to the engraver’s mastery over tools and materials. The material itself – the paper, the ink – while simple, carries its own significance. Paper production at this time was a labor-intensive process, involving the pulping of rags, while ink consisted of mixing pigment with a binder such as oil. The printing press allowed for mass production and circulation of texts, contributing to the spread of knowledge and ideas. This modest page is a portal to a world where craft, commerce, and culture were inextricably linked. It reminds us that even the most unassuming objects bear witness to the social and economic forces that shaped their creation.