Titelprent van een serie kerken van Wenen 1724

Curator: This print, held here at the Rijksmuseum, is titled "Titelprent van een serie kerken van Wenen," or "Title page of a series of churches of Vienna." Salomon Kleiner created it in 1724. It showcases engraving, etching and graphic art elements, all combined into a meticulous display of baroque calligraphy. Editor: Wow, it’s a lot to take in at first glance, almost like a coded message from a very elegant past. The text swirls and dances. There is a real beauty and control in the hand that crafted it, a mesmerizing and intricate balance between information and sheer aesthetic pleasure. It is lovely and overwhelming. Curator: It exemplifies the baroque aesthetic with its ornamentation and attention to detail. We need to see it as more than just a pretty picture, although it is. Think about the social context: it served as a sort of marketing material for a series on Vienna's churches, aimed at elites and tourists eager to consume imagery of power and piety. Editor: Ah, so it is kind of an Instagram post of its day! But crafted by hand and far more enduring! You know, even understanding that now, I can still appreciate the almost dizzying effect of so much text presented as a work of art. It makes you slow down and really look, which is more than what most contemporary media elicit. Curator: Absolutely. Kleiner clearly intended this as a refined product, associating architecture with high art and cultural prestige, carefully chosen words, immaculate and stylishly drawn. Look closely at the hand lettering which emphasizes specific details that can tell you the whole story behind its creation. Editor: I’m just fascinated by how accessible calligraphy and type still are today. Looking at it now it seems timeless—and makes me think we'll never be rid of the urge to leave our mark, elegantly, on the world. Curator: I agree. And hopefully, appreciating the blend of history and art in something like this print will let us engage more thoughtfully with all the marks and messaging around us today.