Titelpagina voor: Bedekte konsten in regeringen en heerschappien, Utrecht 1657 1657

This is the title page for "Bedekte Konsten in Regeringen en Heerschappien", printed in Utrecht in 1657 by Gysbert van Zyll and Dirck van Ackersdyck, with an engraving by Cornelis van Dalen I. This title page offers us a glimpse into the political and social strategies of the Dutch Golden Age. The text promises to reveal "hidden arts" useful for those in power, such as kings, princes, nobles, and cities, to maintain their authority. It speaks to a society deeply invested in the dynamics of power and influence. How does one acquire and maintain power? The emphasis on "arts" suggests that governance was seen as a skill, a performance, rather than a natural right. This resonates with the complex political landscape of the time, where various factions vied for control. What does it mean to consider statecraft an art? What are the gendered and class implications of this perspective? This title page serves as a historical marker, inviting us to consider the enduring questions of power, governance, and the strategies employed to navigate them.