Ontwerp voor de titelprent van De Glorieus, of de Vernederde Hoogmoed 1730s

Simon Fokke produced this title page design, likely in the mid-18th century, using pen and gray ink. The drawing gives us a glimpse into the social rituals of the Dutch elite, capturing a moment of elegant leisure and intellectual exchange. The image constructs meaning through the depiction of a lavish interior, the fashionable attire of the figures, and their engagement with artistic and literary pursuits. The architectural setting and the dress of the figures place it firmly within the Dutch Republic's Golden Age, a period marked by economic prosperity and cultural flourishing, but also by stark social hierarchies. The scene subtly comments on the nature of elite social circles and the institutions that support them. Further research into the literary work for which this was a title page, the biographies of the figures depicted, and the patronage systems of the time would shed more light on its social and institutional context. Understanding the role of art in shaping social identities and norms is key.