Titelpagina voor: Joannes Le Francq van Berkhey 'Gedichten', 1776 1776

In 1776, Reinier Vinkeles created this title page for Joannes Le Francq van Berkhey's book of poetry. The image teems with cherubic figures, emblems of innocence and purity, yet, the context of the late 18th century complicates this seemingly idyllic scene. The Dutch Republic, at the time, was steeped in social and political unrest, with growing class divisions. These cherubs, symbols of a classical ideal, might be seen as representing a longing for a more harmonious social order, or perhaps, an idealized vision of childhood, untouched by the era’s harsh realities. The cherub at the center is being crowned with a wreath, perhaps an embodiment of the poet. Consider how Vinkeles, working within the conventions of his time, uses allegory to reflect both personal and societal aspirations. The emotional tension in the image arises from this interplay between the idealized and the real, mirroring the complex social fabric of the Dutch Republic.