Laurens Janszoon Koster c. 17th century

Curator: Cornelis Koning created this engraving of Laurens Janszoon Koster, a figure believed by some to be the inventor of printing, sometime in the 17th century. Editor: He looks so stern! The tight cap and fur collar give an air of authority, but the downcast gaze hints at some inner burden. Curator: Considering the historical context, it's interesting how Koster is positioned here as a kind of proto-entrepreneur. How are ideas of authorship and innovation shaped by social class and access to resources? Editor: And this mythmaking around invention—it's always a political project. Who gets remembered, who gets erased? It's telling that it's a man, elevated as a singular genius. Curator: Indeed. Perhaps this image functions as a subtle claim for Dutch cultural capital, especially considering printing's dissemination across Europe. Editor: Seeing it now makes me think about the ways we rewrite history to suit current needs and power structures. Curator: Precisely. Food for thought indeed.