Envelop met drie reproducties van tekeningen, 'Drie portretten van Joost van den Vondel in verschillende levensfases 1867

This envelope with three reproductions of drawings was created by Franz Wilhelm Deutmann in the 19th century. It depicts three portraits of Joost van den Vondel in different stages of his life. During the 1800s, national identity and historical figures were sources of inspiration. Vondel, a celebrated poet and playwright from the Dutch Golden Age, was seen as a symbol of Dutch cultural identity. Deutmann places Vondel's image in the context of national pride, reflecting the 19th-century desire to connect with a rich cultural past. It’s interesting to see how Deutmann depicts Vondel's aging, marking the passage of time and the evolution of a cultural icon. This reminds us that identity is not fixed but changes over time. The image can spark contemplation about how we perceive historical figures and how society shapes our understanding of identity. This artwork subtly captures the cultural and emotional context of the 19th century, reflecting the ways in which society engages with its historical and cultural icons.