Views of the Surroundings of Haarlem (Beschryvinge ende lof der stad Haerlem in Holland. In rijm bearbeyd: ende met veele oude ende nieuwe stucken buyten dicht uyt verscheyde kroniken, handvesten, brieven, memorien ofte geheugenissen ende diergelijke schriften verklaerd ende bevestigd)

About this artwork

Step into the vibrant world of 17th-century Haarlem with *Views of the Surroundings Haarlem* (1628), a lavish vellum-bound book that celebrates the city's history, architecture, and landscapes. Penned in verse by poet and minister Samuel Ampzing, scholarly contributions from Petrus Scriverius, chorography—part poetic eulogy, part historical chronicle—draws on ancient records, charters, and letters to extol Haarlem's Dutch Golden Age prominence. Measuring a compact 7 11/16 × 6 3/16 × 1 7/8 inches, it's a portable treasure of letterpress text adorned with engraved and etched illustrations, a woodcut printer's mark, and a tipped-in set of etchings. This collaborative masterpiece unites Haarlem's finest talents: Frans Hals captures lively portraits, Pieter Jansz. Saenredam renders precise church interiors, while Claes Jansz. Visscher, Jan van de Velde II, and others depict panoramic city views and rustic surroundings through meticulous engraving and etching techniques. These prints, blending realism with topographic accuracy, showcase the era's printmaking prowess, making complex historical narratives visually accessible. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via the 2015 Dr. and Mrs. Arthur H. Elkind Gift), the book reflects Haarlem's cultural pride amid Holland's prosperity, offering visitors a window into how art and scholarship intertwined to immortalize a thriving Dutch city.