Ontdekking van de drukkunst door Laurens Janszoon Coster - Jacob van Lennep

A whimsical 1853 ink and watercolour sketch by Jacob van Lennep depicting the legendary discovery of the printing press by Laurens Janszoon Coster.

This illustration by the Dutch writer and poet Jacob van Lennep depicts a whimsical, imaginative scene regarding the legendary discovery of the printing press by Laurens Janszoon Coster. Dated 1853, the work is executed in ink with subtle watercolour washes on a warm, toned paper. It captures a youthful, energetic figure in a moment of discovery, holding printing blocks aloft while a chest of similar items sits open beside him. The composition is lighthearted, reflecting the nineteenth-century Dutch fascination with national myths and historical figures.

Van Lennep, better known for his literary contributions, demonstrates a fluid, calligraphic line quality in this sketch. The figure is rendered with quick, expressive strokes, suggesting movement and excitement. The inclusion of handwritten text alongside the drawing provides a narrative layer, typical of the personal albums or sketchbooks from which this piece originates. The artist uses a muted palette, allowing the focus to remain on the character's posture and the historical subject matter. The work provides a glimpse into the private creative habits of a man deeply involved in the cultural life of the Netherlands during the mid-nineteenth century. It is a charming example of amateur illustration that blends historical narrative with a sense of playfulness, characteristic of the period's interest in romanticising the origins of technology and craft.