Titelpagina voor: J.G. Muller, 'Ferdinand', 1805 1805

This is Reinier Vinkeles' 1805 etching, the title page for J.G. Muller's 'Ferdinand'. Vinkeles, working in the Netherlands during a period of political and social upheaval, captures a scene of domesticity that belies the tumultuous times. The image depicts a family in what appears to be a moment of transaction or farewell. A woman sits at a table, children play at her feet, while a man seems to be either receiving or giving something to a figure in a long coat. The setting is intimate, yet the interaction carries an air of formality. Vinkeles presents a view into the lives of ordinary people navigating their daily lives against a backdrop of broader historical currents. Notice how the artist situates the figures within a confined space, perhaps mirroring the constraints and limited opportunities experienced by many during this era. The expressions on their faces, though subtle, hint at the emotional complexities of their circumstances. It's a quiet, reflective piece that asks us to consider the personal stories embedded within the larger narrative of history.