Titelpagina voor Ter bruylofte van den heere Johannes van Coevenhoven en jongkvrouwe Maria Hoos, Amsterdam, 1723

About this artwork

F.G. Waller Bequest, Amsterdam

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of 18th Amsterdam with this delicate etching by Pieter van den Berge, *Titelpagina voor Ter bruylofte den heere Johannes vanevenhoven en jongkvwe Maria Hoos* (Title Page for the Wedding of Lord Johannes van Coevenhoven Young Lady Maria Hoos created in 1723. Measuring just 104 × 150 mm, this print served as the ornate frontispiece for a celebratory publication honoring the union of these prominent, reflecting the Dutch custom of commemorating elite marriages through printed ephemera like poems or pamphlets. Van den Berge, a skilled Dutch engraver active in the early 1700s, captures the festive spirit with intricate lines typical of etching—a technique where acid etches designs into a metal plate, allowing for fine details and multiple reproductions. Such title pages were cultural treasures, blending artistry with social announcement, showcasing the prosperity and refinement of Amsterdam's merchant class during the waning Dutch Golden Age. Part of the esteemed F.G. Waller Bequest in Amsterdam, this work offers a glimpse into personal milestones turned public spectacle, highlighting how printmaking democratized celebration for family and friends alike. A charming artifact of romance and craftsmanship!

About the Artist

Pieter van den Berge · 1669–1769

Pieter van den Berge (1659–1737) was a Dutch draughtsman, printmaker, and publisher whose long career spanned the late Dutch Golden Age into the early 18th century. Born in 1659, likely in Amsterdam, van den Berge worked as an engraver, visual artist, editorial curator, and draughtsman during a period when Dutch printmaking was transitioning from the heights of the Golden Age into new commercial a...