Schrijfvoorbeeld: Mons(ieur) Harmanus Versteege (...) 1667 - 1718

Ambrosius Perling produced this calligraphic writing sample, or “Schrijfvoorbeeld”, in the Netherlands, probably in the late 17th or early 18th century. The Dutch Golden Age saw a flourishing of the arts and sciences, as well as a growing merchant class. Good handwriting was a valuable skill for merchants, administrators, and other professionals, and calligraphy books like this one were used as guides for instruction. Calligraphy was not just a practical skill, however. It was also an art form, and calligraphers like Perling were admired for their ability to create beautiful and elaborate letterforms. The flourishes and embellishments in this example are typical of the Dutch Baroque style. The text itself is a dedication to Mons(ieur) Harmanus Versteege, but it also speaks to the social conditions that shaped artistic production in the Netherlands at this time. To understand this work better, we might consult historical archives, manuscript collections, and publications, to know more about Dutch calligraphy and writing samples in the social and institutional context of the Dutch Golden Age.