Titelpagina voor: Vaderlandsche Kermisvreugd vertoond in acht kunstplaaten geteekend en gegraveerd door K.F. Bendorp, met toepasselijke Vaersjes door R. Arends, H. de Haas en Compagnie, Dordrecht 1782

Carel Frederik Bendorp created this title page for "Vaderlandsche Kermisvreugd" or "National Fairground Joy," an illustrated book published in Dordrecht, likely in the late 18th century. The image and text promise a collection of prints depicting the pleasures of the Dutch "kermis," or fair. These fairs were important social events in the Netherlands, offering entertainment, commerce, and a chance for communities to come together. Consider the context of the Dutch Republic, a time of relative economic prosperity and burgeoning national identity. The "Vaderlandsche" or national aspect suggests an effort to celebrate and define Dutch culture through its popular festivities. The book itself is a product of a growing print culture and commercial market for art. To understand this work fully, one might research the history of Dutch fairs, the role of printmaking in shaping public opinion, and the cultural values of the Dutch Republic in the 18th century. Only then can we begin to see how the "kermis" became a symbol of national identity.