Grafbord van Arnoldus van Wachtendonck (gestorven 1668), plaatsvervangend directeur van Bengalen (1665-68) 1668

This mortuary board commemorating Arnoldus van Wachtendonck, the director of Bengalen, was created anonymously in 1668. The lozenge shape immediately sets this apart from more conventional portraiture. It draws the eye to the heraldic imagery and somber hues. Notice how the design is structured around a clear hierarchy, with the coat of arms centrally positioned, framed by scrolling foliage in red and gold. Above sits a helmet, rendered in simple lines. The use of color, limited to earth tones, enhances the board's gravity. The Latin inscription, "Obiit," underscores the subject's passing. The corners are inscribed with dates—his death on August 13, 1668. This board functions as a semiotic device, encoding social status and familial lineage through heraldic symbols. This object transcends mere commemoration. Instead, it uses form and structure to convey a complex narrative of identity and mortality.