Jan Harmensz. Krul was a Dutch playwright, songwriter and composer, founder (1634) of the Amsterdam Musyckchamber. This influential poet has set the first paces to improve the Dutch literary climate in the Dutch Golden Age. His portrait was painted by Rembrandt in 1633.
The emblem shown in the picture is taken from Jan Harmensz. Krul’s book “Pampiere wereld” (Paper world) published in Amsterdam, 1644. In the mid-17th century the common conceit in amatory poems, songs, and this emblem is that of the enervated lover who is so overwhelmed with desire that he or she can no longer perform daily tasks effectively.
Jan Harmensz. Krul was a Dutch poet and dramatist. This illustration from his book Minne-beelden (Images of Love) depicts Cupid sailing a boat. It is inscribed: “Though far away, you are never out of my heart”. The explanatory text is an oft-cited verse of the poet.
