Gedicht op Hendrik de Keyser (I) 1579 - 1660

This is “Gedicht op Hendrik de Keyser (I)”, a poem by Joost van den Vondel, a celebrated figure of the Dutch Golden Age. The poem is a tribute to Hendrik de Keyser, an architect and sculptor in Amsterdam. Vondel lived during a period of significant social and political change. The Netherlands was establishing itself as a major power, and grappling with issues of religious freedom and national identity. Vondel's own life was marked by conversion to Catholicism, which was a minority faith in the Dutch Republic. He was a staunch supporter of tolerance and intellectual freedom. This poem reflects the cultural pride and artistic flourishing of the time. It elevates de Keyser to a figure of almost mythical status, suggesting that his artistry surpasses even the glories of Rome. Vondel suggests de Keyser is born out of himself, the power of his artistic imagination. The poem speaks to the power of art to transcend material limitations and immortalize its subjects. It reflects the deep connection between artistic creation, personal identity, and the broader cultural context in which artists like Vondel and de Keyser lived and worked.