Titelpagina voor: Almanack der Musen en Gratiën, aan vriendschap, liefde en kunst gewijd, 1810 1810

Willem van Senus created this title page for the Almanack der Musen en Gratiën in 1810 using etching and engraving. It was made in Amsterdam by E. Maaskamp, Royal art dealer for plate and engraving art. Almanacs like this one held a significant place in early 19th-century Dutch culture, embodying a blend of entertainment, enlightenment, and social commentary. The Almanack's dedication to "friendship, love, and art" speaks to the values and interests of its intended audience, the rising middle class. The cultural and institutional significance of these almanacs lies in their role as vehicles for disseminating knowledge, shaping public opinion, and fostering a sense of national identity during a period of political and social upheaval. Art historians consult archival records to understand the almanac's production, distribution, and reception. These resources shed light on the almanac's cultural work and its contribution to the formation of modern Dutch society.