Titelblad van Historisch verhael, band 2 (dl. 6), 1624 1623 - 1624

This is Claes Jansz Visscher’s title page from 1624 for the second volume of “Historisch Verhael,” made with etching and engraving. During the 17th century, the Dutch Republic was a major player in global trade and exploration. Visscher's detailed imagery reflects a world rapidly changing through exploration, trade, and conflict. The book promises tales from Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, presenting a world stitched together by Dutch seafaring ambition. This work exists within the context of the Dutch Golden Age, a time of unprecedented economic and cultural expansion. It reflects both the excitement of discovery and the harsh realities of colonization. Consider how Visscher's images might have shaped the worldview of his audience. Did they inspire a sense of national pride, or perhaps a moral unease about the human cost of empire? This title page offers not just a gateway to stories of the past, but also a glimpse into the complex and often contradictory values of a society on the cusp of modernity.