Titelpagina voor: C. de Koning ' Geschied en letterkundige mengelingen', 1814 1814

Reinier Vinkeles created this title page for C. de Koning’s book in 1814 using etching. The allegorical figure invites us into the book, but also speaks volumes about the cultural values of the Netherlands at the time. The woman, a muse-like figure, sits with a writing tablet, a lyre at her side, referencing the arts and sciences contained within the book. She is set against a classical monument adorned with a wreath, itself a nod to history and literature. This neoclassical imagery reflects the cultural aspirations of the Dutch elite in the post-Napoleonic era, seeking to rebuild national identity through a connection to a glorified past. To truly understand this image, we need to consider the history of Dutch printmaking, the publishing industry of the time, and the role of classical imagery in shaping national identity. The historian can use sources from archives, libraries, and museums to uncover the complex social meanings embedded in this seemingly simple title page.