The coat of arms Van Botnia on an album inscription of Foeckel van Botnia (1605-1673) in the album amicorum of Juliana de Roussel (-1669). Often acquaintances left their family coat of arms as an illustration in an album. It is remarkable that this coat of arms comes from an album amicorum of a woman, who often used their album for texts, songs and handicrafts: Juliana de Roussel was probably a modern woman with modern perspectives.
This little painting by Burchard Grossman is an example of their at the time artists and hobbyists also used their alba amicorum for their own painting and illustrations.
Decorations like this are often seen in alba amicorum surrounding a portrait. This particular decoration was around a portrait of Carolus Clusius from Lieden. It reads: Carolus Clusius, May 4, 1606.
Albuminscript left by Hessel van Ostheim, 31 August 1589.
Painting in the album amicorum of Jan Baptist Stalpart van der Wiele, Rome, February 27, 1610.
A self-portrait of the album holder, Johannes Franck. Illustrators or artists were often hired to make portraits or illustrations of an acquaintance or friend, at the album holder's expense: Johannes Franck wanted to be on the photo himself too.
Literary expertise was important in getting an album amicorum filled.
Women who had alba amicorum often used them for handicrafts. This is a dried leaf with the inscription "Amite Sincere," which translates to "sincere friendship." It is therefore possible that Jacoba Bolten received this work from a friend.
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