Bladwijzer voor de afbeeldingen uit: Franciscus Lijftocht, Voor-winckel van patientie in den droeven tegenspoedt (…), 1679, dl. 1 1679

This small bookmark, made by Gaspar Bouttats around 1679, is a study in textual composition. The stark contrast between the dense black lettering and the creamy off-white paper creates a compelling visual rhythm. The arrangement of text blocks, separated by simple horizontal lines, forms a clear hierarchy. The bold, centered title, "Bladt-Wyser Der Sinne-Beelden" acts as a visual anchor, immediately orienting the reader. The text itself delves into the symbolic interpretations of adversity, framing misfortune as a path towards spiritual enlightenment. Each line, a semiotic signifier, encourages a reading of life's challenges as divinely ordained lessons. The bookmark doesn't just present information; it proposes a structural framework for understanding the relationship between suffering and salvation, inviting the reader to decode their own experiences through this lens.