Dutch pious book printing plates

Collection

Identifier: BC-2025-023

Scope and Contents

A set of 46, three-inch copper etching plates with biblical illustrations. Each plate contains a scene inscribed within a circular frame and an annotation with the book, chapter, and verse the scene illustrates. Two of the plates are not biblical: one illustrates a scene from a Roman history by Quintus Curtius Rufus, and the other bears the name "J. Goeree," who is believed to be the engraver. Jan Goeree produced a similar Godtvrugtige Almanach (literally "God-Fruitful," meaning a pious book) in 1730. This type of religious almanac contained prayers, devotional readings, moral guidance, and traditional almanac features such as calendars, feast days, and astronomical information. Each printing plate was wrapped in a paper with a proof of the plate's image on it. The book the plates were intended for has not been identified and may never have been published.

Dates

Creation: between 1700-1730

Creator

Goeree, Jan, 1670-1731 (Person)

Access Note

Collection is open for research. The copper plates have been housed in individual trays so that they can be viewed without contact; do not handle the plates.

Conditions Governing Use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical Note: Jan Goeree

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Jan Goeree was born in Middleburg, Netherlands, on October 20, 1670, to Willem Goeree and Elisabeth van Waesbergen. He studied in Amsterdam under painter Gerard de Lairesse and lived the rest of his life in that city. Goeree was best known as a printmaker, including his work on an edition of Nicolas de Fer's Atlas Royal and his own Godtvrugtige Almanach (Godtvrugtige almanach, of, Lof-gedachtenis der Heyligen op ijder dag van 't jaar, 1730), but he also designed the ceiling paintings for the town-hall of Amsterdam (painted in 1715 by Hoogzaat and Rademaker). He died on January 4, 1731.

Sources:

"Goeree, Jan." Benezit Dictionary of Artists. 31 Oct. 2011; Accessed 25 Aug. 2026. https://www.oxfordartonline.com/benezit/view/10.1093/benz/9780199773787.001.0001/acref-9780199773787-e-00076096

"Goeree, Jan". Cartographers, Geographicus Antique Maps, accessed on August 25, 2026. https://www.geographicus.com/P/ctgy

Horsch, Femy. "Goeree, Willem." Grove Art Online. 2003; Accessed 25 Aug. 2026. https://www.oxfordartonline.com/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000032983

Jan Goeree biographic note, British Museum of Art, accessed on August 25, 2026. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG29243

Full Extent

2 Linear Feet (2 containers)

Language of Materials

Latin

Additional Description

Abstract

A set of 46 copper printing plates with biblical engravings for an unidentified pious book. The plates are believed to be the work of Dutch engraver Jan Goeree (1670-1731).

Arrangement

The plates are in biblical order, with the two non-biblical plates filed last.

Provenance

Purchased from Hugues de Latude in 2025.

Related Materials

Other collections at John J. Burns Library with examples of printing plates include:

Boston College collection of Eric Gill, MS.1986.139, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

George F. Trenholm collection, MS.1994.038, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Goigs del gloriós Sant Ignasi de Loyola patriarca y fundador de la Companyia de Jesús, la festa del qual se celebra al últim de juliol, BC.2023.123, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Processing Information

The plates are annotated with the Latin abbreviation for Bible book, chapter, and verse. The modern nomenclature has been used in description for improved clarity.

The proof papers have been removed from the plates for ease of access. Each proof and plate are stored in the same location.