Gedicht op Rijcklof van Goens 1629 - 1682

This printed poem, 'Gedicht op Rijcklof van Goens', was created by Joost van den Vondel, likely in the mid-17th century. As a printed work, it belongs to a world of mechanical reproduction, where text and images could be disseminated widely, becoming available to the public on an unprecedented scale. The poem, dedicated to Rijcklof van Goens, who served as Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, speaks to a specific historical and political context: the operations of the Dutch East India Company. It celebrates a figure deeply involved in colonial administration. Consider the labor involved in the production of the artwork. The making of the paper, the creation of the printing press, the typesetting of the letters, and the actual printing process. Looking at this seemingly simple piece of paper, we can reflect on a complex web of social, economic, and political relationships that shaped its production and dissemination.