Who painted Title Page?

Title Page was painted by British 17th Century in 1655.

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 Baroque.

Title Page by British 17th Century (1655) — Meaning & Museum

About this work

The image depicts a title page, featuring the name "Samuel Purchas" at the top, followed by the title "Pelgrimagie" and a subtitle in Dutch.

The image depicts a title page, featuring the name "Samuel Purchas" at the top, followed by the title "Pelgrimagie" and a subtitle in Dutch. The text is written in a mix of serif and blackletter fonts, with the main title in large letters and the subtitle in smaller text. The page has a light-brown background with a darker brown border around the edges.

At the bottom of the page, there is an illustration of a decorative design, possibly a flower or leaf pattern, surrounded by text in Dutch. The overall design of the page suggests that it is from a book published in the 17th century.

The title page's design and typography are characteristic of the Baroque style, which was popular during the 17th century. To learn more about this style, explore the Baroque movement.

Overview

This title page is an engraved print that introduces a 17th‑century volume attributed to Samuel Purchas. The layout presents the author’s name at the top, followed by the main title “Pelgrimagie” and a Dutch subtitle rendered in contrasting serif and blackletter typefaces. The sheet is set against a light‑brown ground and framed by a darker brown border.

Subject & Meaning

The page functions as the frontispiece for a travel narrative, signaling the work’s focus on pilgrimage and exploration. The inclusion of decorative foliage motifs at the bottom reinforces the theme of journeying through natural and foreign landscapes, while the bilingual title suggests an intended readership across linguistic regions.

Technique & Style

Executed as an intaglio engraving, the image displays the intricate line work typical of Baroque printmaking, with dense hatching to convey depth and texture. The combination of serif and blackletter lettering reflects contemporary typographic conventions, and the ornamental border exemplifies the period’s penchant for elaborate, ornamental framing.

History & Provenance

Printed in the early 1600s, the title page belongs to a volume published during Samuel Purchas’s prolific period of compiling travel accounts. Surviving copies are found in several European libraries, indicating the work’s distribution among scholarly and mercantile circles of the time.

Context

The design aligns with Baroque aesthetic principles, emphasizing dramatic contrast, rich ornamentation, and a dynamic interplay of text and image. Such title pages served both practical and promotional purposes, attracting readers through visual grandeur while asserting the authority of the author and publisher.