Ontwerp van een schrijfvoorbeeld: A mons. L'Heremite 1605

This is a writing sample by Jan van de Velde I, created sometime in the late 16th or early 17th century. During this time, the Dutch Republic was emerging as a major center for trade and culture, fostering both artistic innovation and rigid social hierarchies. Van de Velde’s work, with its elaborate flourishes, embodies the period's complex relationship with language and social identity. Calligraphy was more than just writing; it was a performance of status, education, and belonging. The text, addressed to a Monsieur L'Heremite, conveys a sense of refined courtesy expected among the elite. The careful construction of each letter reflects a society where appearances and etiquette were paramount, marking social boundaries. The artwork stands as a document of its time, quietly revealing how something as simple as handwriting could be laden with social meaning. You might ask yourself, how do our own forms of communication reflect and shape the world we live in?