Titelvignet met twee leeuwinnen c. 1910

Bernard Willem Wierink made this title vignette with two lionesses using wood engraving. In heraldry, paired lions often symbolize strength and courage; here they are feminized, perhaps to align with a queen or motherland. Made in the Netherlands, this print reflects the values of the Dutch monarchy and its colonial power, showing a clear cultural preference for order and hierarchy. The lionesses flank a royal crown which floats above a rectangular space for text. This design might be for official stationery, a bookplate, or some other institutional function. To fully understand this print, we need to examine the historical associations of the lion in Dutch culture and the political role of royal imagery at the time it was made. Researching the Wierink archive might uncover a specific commission. Like all art, this image is best understood within its specific social and institutional context.