Gedicht aan de berispers 1616 - 1617

"Gedicht aan de berispers" (Poem to the Reprovers), created between 1616 and 1617 by Dutch Golden Age painter David Roelands, is a calligraphic work of art. The text is a poem that is set out in a vertical column with each letter in the poem forming the vertical column of letters that spell out “DAVIDROELANDS.” This unique artistic choice was a popular style in the 17th century that was used to showcase the artist’s mastery of penmanship. The poem is believed to have been written in Dutch, likely reflecting on themes of morality and virtue. This work is notable for its aesthetic and historical significance, exemplifying a popular Dutch artistic style.