Titelpagina voor: L.V. Bos, Batavias, of Batavische Aeneas, Amsterdam, 1648 1648

This is Jacob Lescaille's title page for L.V. Bos's "Batavias, of Batavische Aeneas," etched in Amsterdam in 1648. The immediate visual experience is dominated by typography, arranged in a structured hierarchy. The font's serifs give the print a formal, classical feel. The composition establishes meaning through its textual layers, presenting the title, author, and dedications. The title employs larger, bolder fonts, immediately drawing the eye. This semiotic system directs our reading, as the title alludes to Virgil’s Aeneid. The lines below inform the reader that this is a poem 'after the manner of the old and modern Italian poets.' The poem is dedicated to Jeremias van Vliet, the Governor of Malacca, reflecting Dutch imperial interests. The layout isn't just informative; it reflects the period's values, aligning classical literary traditions with contemporary Dutch identity and power. The visual structure serves as a cultural artifact, revealing the intertwined nature of art, literature, and imperial ambition.