About the cover illustration

The figure on the cover of Isomorphic Web Applications is a “Gran Visir,” the Prime Minister to the Sultan in a medieval Arabic country. While the exact meaning of his position and his national origin are lost in historical fog, there is no doubt that we are facing a man of stature and authority. The illustration is taken from a Spanish compendium of regional dress customs first published in Madrid in 1799. The book’s title page states:

Coleccion general de los Trages que usan actualmente todas las Nacionas del Mundo desubierto, dibujados y grabados con la mayor exactitud por R.M.V.A.R. Obra muy util y en special para los que tienen la del viajero universal

Translated as literally as possible, this means the following:

General Collection of Costumes currently used in the Nations of the Known World, designed and printed with great exactitude by R.M.V.A.R. This work is very useful especially for those who hold themselves to be universal travelers.