Author: François van Bleyswijck (1671-1746)
Title: [Antique title pages, ca. 1700] HERDERSZANGEN, KLINKDICHTEN, LOFDICHTEN, BRUILOFTDICHTEN, LYK- EN GRAFDICHTEN, published ca. 1700, 5 pp.
Description: Five frontispieces of the different chapters in a collection of poems by Jacob Zeeus (1686-1718), illustrated by Leiden artist François van Bleyswijck. These plates were employed in other editions, also as single plate out of the set.HERDERS-ZANGEN: Vignette with allegory of pastoral life. A shepherd entertains a shepherdess with his flute playing while they sit among the sheep and goats. A beehive symbolizes eloquence or poetry and musical instruments such as pan flute and lyre complete the pastoral idyll.KLINK-DICHTEN: A lyre with a female figure with a triangle on the left and a singing man with a tambourine on the right. On top of the lyre is a sistrum with a cat sitting atop.LOF-DICHTEN: Ornament crowned with two personifications of Fame playing their trumpets. On top of the ornament are books. The whole is crowned with a laurel wreath.BRUILOFT-DICHTEN: Vignette with frame in which bride and groom are included. Both are holding a wreath of flowers. As symbols of love and marital fidelity, two clasping hands are depicted with a burning heart atop. Next to the bride is a peacock, whereas the groom holds a torch.LYK-EN GRAFDICHTEN: Vignette with frame in which a tomb with a reclining figure and a mourning man and woman are included. A skull, an extinguished torch and gabled hourglasses refer to transience.Signed: 'F. Bleiswyck inv. & Fecit.' Etchings on paper, with margins; total: ca. 202 x 160 mm; some staining on the top margin, otherwise in very good condition.

Keywords: Allegories|Anatomy|Animals|Book illustrations|Death|Farmers|fire|Frontispiece|Iconography|Leiden|Literature & Philosophy|Love|Marriage|Music|Poetry|Skull|The Netherlands