Lofdicht op Anselmus de Boodt (vijfde blad) c. 1800 - 1825

This handwritten poem by Francois Pierre Joseph de Gheselle serves as a testament to the cultural and intellectual life of its time. De Gheselle, born in the late 18th century, lived through an era marked by significant political and social upheaval. While we don't know the exact date of this poem, we can consider it as a reflection of the values and ideals of its period. Composed in Dutch, this work suggests a connection to a particular linguistic and cultural community. The choice of language itself asserts a cultural identity, resisting the dominant forces of linguistic assimilation. Consider the act of writing poetry by hand, a practice laden with intimacy and care. The deliberate act of committing words to paper speaks to a deep engagement with language and meaning. This painstaking process invites us to contemplate the relationship between text, identity, and cultural preservation.