Généalogie van Reynst 1876

This is a handwritten manuscript by J.W.C. del Court titled "Généalogie van Reynst" made sometime in the late 18th century. The materials are simple: paper and ink, the tools minimal: a quill, a writing surface. Yet, even in these humble materials we can perceive a connection to larger systems of power and commerce. The Reynst family, whose genealogy is recorded here, were prominent merchants and art collectors, deeply embedded in the Dutch Golden Age economy, and its colonial project. Paper itself, though seemingly commonplace, was a valuable commodity, reflective of global trade networks. The act of handwriting, too, speaks volumes. In a pre-industrial age, this was a skill, one developed through long practice and a signifier of education and status. The meticulousness of the script hints at the importance of lineage and legacy in a society undergoing profound social and economic change. So, as you consider this document, remember that even the simplest materials and making processes are imbued with social and cultural significance, blurring the lines between craft, art, and the wider world.