A 1683 title page illustration by Arnold Houbraken, featuring a classical vignette of a winged figure above a maritime scene.

This print represents the title page for the second volume of Lambert van den Bos's historical work, 'Spicilegium of by-spel van vorstelycke treur-gevallen', published in Dordrecht in 1683. Arnold Houbraken, a Dutch painter and biographer, provided the illustrative work for this publication. The composition features a central typographic arrangement detailing the book's contents, which focus on the rise and fall of states and historical figures. At the base of the text, a small etched vignette depicts a winged figure, likely representing Fame or History, hovering above a maritime scene. The figure holds a trumpet and a laurel wreath, traditional symbols of victory and commemoration. Below, small ships navigate the water, adding a sense of scale and narrative movement to the otherwise static page. The typography follows the conventions of seventeenth-century Dutch printing, utilising a mix of Roman and italic typefaces to organise the complex title information. As a piece of graphic design from the late seventeenth century, this work demonstrates the integration of visual art and literature. Houbraken, who later became known for his biographical work 'De groote schouburgh der Nederlantsche konstschilders en schilderessen', began his career with such commissions. The print offers a glimpse into the editorial standards of the period, where the title page functioned as both an advertisement for the book and a decorative element. The contrast between the dense, formal text and the fluid, etched illustration creates a balanced visual hierarchy. This print is a specimen of the craftsmanship found in Dutch publishing during the late seventeenth century, reflecting the period's interest in historical documentation and classical iconography.