Gedicht aan de berispers 1616 - 1617

David Roelands crafted this poem, "Gedicht aan de berispers," sometime around 1617, a lament against critics. The recurring motif of the "pen" is central, symbolizing both creation and critique. The pen here is not just an instrument for writing, but a scepter of judgment. In other illuminated manuscripts, the pen appears as a symbol of divine inspiration, wielded by evangelists. Yet, here, Roelands transforms it into a tool accessible to all. He suggests that if one dares to critique, one must also dare to create. This idea is not new. Since ancient times, critics have been depicted as parasitic figures, feeding off the work of others. The psychological aspect of this image strikes deeply: the fear of judgment, the vulnerability of creation, and the eternal struggle between the artist and the critic. Thus, the symbol of the pen evolves, carrying within it the weight of cultural memory, resurfacing in different forms, each echoing the anxieties and aspirations of its time.