Bericht van de uitgever over het opstarten van de prentreeks Atlas der Geschiedenissen van onzen tyd, 1787 1787

Willem Kok produced this etching, "Bericht van de uitgever over het opstarten van de prentreeks Atlas der Geschiedenissen van onzen tyd," in 1787. This announcement, translated as "Publisher's report on the launch of the series Atlas of Histories of Our Time," provides us with insight into the cultural and intellectual milieu of the late 18th century. The Atlas reflects the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and the encyclopedic desire to document and classify the world. As the Dutch Republic was undergoing political and social upheaval, the "Atlas" sought to make sense of a rapidly changing world through the visual representation of current events. Notice the density of the text, framed by a decorative border; this announcement highlights the importance of disseminating knowledge to a wider audience. The Atlas served as a means of shaping public opinion and constructing a collective understanding of the era. It captures a moment in time when the power of the press was beginning to be recognized as a force. The "Atlas" and related announcements reflect a society grappling with questions of identity, knowledge, and the representation of history.