Van Iacob en Esau 1646

This is a page from Jan Philipsz Schabaelje's book 'Van Iacob en Esau,' printed sometime before 1656. Initially, the dense block of text, framed by the dark edges of the book, dominates the visual experience. The black letter font creates a stark contrast with the off-white paper. The structure invites a feeling of scholarly engagement. The story presents a duality, mirroring the narrative of Jacob and Esau. Semiotically, we can interpret the visual structure of the page itself. The uniformity of the text represents established norms, while the narrative introduces a challenge to those norms. The story destabilizes the established hierarchy, as Jacob supplants Esau. Ultimately, the materiality and texture of the page emphasize the physical nature of knowledge. Its structure serves not just an aesthetic purpose, but also as a medium through which cultural and philosophical ideas are transmitted. The book remains open to ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation.