Randwerk met sterren 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos made this pen drawing, Randwerk met sterren, or Border Work with Stars, in the Netherlands, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. We see what appears to be a string of six-pointed stars, or perhaps Stars of David. It's hard to know exactly the purpose of this drawing. Van den Bos was known to have produced ornamental borders for prints, and was involved in various printmaking businesses. It seems likely that this drawing represents a preparatory study for such a print. But why the Star of David? Although the Netherlands was fairly tolerant compared to many other European countries, the Jewish population faced legal discrimination and social prejudice. Might this design be a sign of solidarity with the Jewish community? Or was it just a decorative motif, stripped of its cultural significance? As historians, we can only speculate. Further archival research may provide a better understanding of the artist's intentions and the cultural context in which this drawing was made.