Titelpagina voor: J. van Someren, Herstelde oudtheyt, ofte Beschrijvinge van Batavia, 1657 1657

Andries van Hoogenhuysen created this title page for J. van Someren’s book in 1657, using letterpress and woodcut. The book, titled "Herstelde Oudtheyt, ofte Beschrijvinge van Batavia," translates to "Restored Antiquity, or Description of Batavia". The title "Batavia" evokes a layered history. While it refers to the Roman name for the Netherlands, it simultaneously echoes the Dutch colonial presence in what is now Jakarta, Indonesia, then also called Batavia. This intertwining of local history with colonial ambition reveals the complex relationship between Dutch identity and its global enterprises. The image of the tree, intertwined with figures, perhaps alludes to the deep roots and entangled narratives of land, power, and identity. Consider how the act of "describing" Batavia, as the title suggests, involves both an act of preservation and an assertion of dominance. This title page invites us to reflect on how historical narratives are constructed and whose stories are centered. It serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate connections between place, identity, and the enduring legacies of colonialism.