Schrijfvoorbeeld: Niet isser datmen ooit soo seer (...) 1660 - 1751

This calligraphic sheet, made by Bastiaan Boers around the turn of the 18th century, presents two Dutch sayings in an elegant, almost performative script. These maxims, one relating to God and the other to the human heart, reflect the importance of religion and moral character in Dutch society at the time. The Netherlands in the late 17th and early 18th centuries was a major economic and cultural power, known for its tolerance and intellectual freedom, though this was a tolerance mainly for people of a similar social standing. The sayings here remind us of a very strong Calvinist presence, one that emphasized personal responsibility, hard work, and a close relationship with God, and which had strong opinions about who could be tolerated into society. A historian seeking to understand this work better would want to delve into the religious and social history of the Netherlands. Examination of sermons, devotional literature, and social commentaries from the period could reveal the precise place of these sayings. Such research might help us understand better the social pressures of this time.