Penning met portret van Laurens Jansz. Coster 1681 - 1746

Curator: So, here we have "Penning met portret van Laurens Jansz. Coster," an engraving dating from between 1681 and 1746, made by François van Bleyswijck, currently residing in the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as a rather formal piece, clearly intended to commemorate someone. How do you interpret this work? Editor: It’s interesting. The image of Coster feels… deliberate. I notice the inscriptions framing his portrait, along with what appears to be some sort of poem or inscription on the right side. It almost feels like an early form of propaganda. Can you tell me about the context in which this piece was created and its public role? Curator: Indeed. Consider the period—the Dutch Golden Age. There was intense civic pride, particularly in the flourishing of arts and sciences. This print, almost certainly part of a series, serves to solidify Coster's legacy as a pioneering inventor of printing in Haarlem, battling other cities’ claims to this revolutionary innovation. Note how the inscription places him squarely as ‘Laurens Jansz. Coster of Haarlem.’ What statement do you think it makes through its visuals and text? Editor: It's trying to cement Coster as a local hero, associating him directly with the prosperity and innovation of Haarlem itself. The choice of engraving seems important too; it allows for mass production, making his image widely accessible. Would that be used for gifts, for instance? Curator: Precisely. These weren't just portraits; they were powerful statements of cultural and regional identity. These medals would be used to show pride in Haarlem. They were used in a civic, political way to bolster the narrative of Haarlem’s contribution to world history, which can definitely be tied to politics in imagery. Does that shed light on the piece's meaning and intention for you? Editor: Absolutely! Seeing it as a conscious act of civic promotion, rather than just a portrait, transforms how I view it. It feels less like an objective representation and more like an active participant in the politics of its time. Curator: Precisely! It reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum; it's always enmeshed within social, cultural, and political currents. These prints are historical documents, and artistic objects used within a social function to prove a socio-political narrative. What a fascinating look at history! Editor: Thanks. This was a whole new perspective to me. I appreciate you opening my eyes to this piece!