Who painted Title Page?

Title Page was painted by Cornelis Ploos van Amstel in 1765.

Where can I see Title Page?

Title Page is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Title Page?

Title Page is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Title Page?

Museum-quality prints of Title Page are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Title Page

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel , 1765

Title Page is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel. It dates from 1765 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a print combining etching and woodcut, executed in two shades of brown ink.

Inscription: Inscribed:in image: Viro / Amplissimo Nobilissimo, / Jonæ Witsenio / Icto, civium Amstelædamensium / Patri Consuliq. / Vigilantissimo, / Omnium artium ac disciplinarum / Patrono: / Sed inprimis Picturæ ejusq. partium / Maecenati & Exercitori / Haereditario; / Hunc æri incisorum Extyporum fasciculum / quasi manu exarata & delineata / Excellentissimorum inter Belgas / Pictorum / imitantium, / ea qua par est reverentia / D.D.D. / Inventor / Cornelius Ploos van Amstel / D. 1 Febr. / 1765; verso along bottom in graphite: Geoffererd aan myne / zeer...Vriend . den Heer J. Lublink / ... / ... / Ploos v Amstel / Ploos van Amstel Fecit 176...
Markings: Marked:verso: artist's mark (Eusman 1)

About this work

Overview

The work is a print combining etching and woodcut, executed in two shades of brown ink. Produced in 1765, it presents a modestly sized composition that functions as a title page for a larger publication. The image is framed by a simple fence and sparse trees, creating an outdoor ambience that underscores the central figure.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre stands a youthful statue holding a lyre, positioned on a pedestal that bears a draped banner. The banner carries an elaborate Latin encomium addressed to Jonas Witsen, suggesting the print was intended to honor this individual, likely in connection with a scholarly or civic achievement.

Technique & Style

The artist employed both intaglio etching and relief woodcut methods, allowing for fine line work alongside broader tonal areas. The use of two brown inks creates subtle contrast, emphasizing the sculptural form of the boy and the textural quality of the surrounding foliage and fence.

History & Provenance

Signed by Cornelis Ploos van Amstel, the inscription is faint, reflecting the passage of time. Created in the mid‑18th century, the piece likely served as the frontispiece of a printed work circulated among learned circles, though its subsequent ownership history remains undocumented.

Context

Ploos van Amstel was active in the Dutch Republic during a period when prints were commonly used to disseminate scholarly and commemorative material. The inclusion of a classical statue and Latin praise aligns with the Enlightenment’s reverence for antiquity and the practice of honoring patrons through printed tributes.