Platen van grafzerk Gijsbert Willemsz. Raet before 1878

David van der Kellen created this print of tomb plaques in the nineteenth century. Note the symmetrical arrangement of the four panels. The designs feature heraldic creatures within quatrefoil shapes, rendered in delicate lines and a muted palette of grays and whites, creating a sense of solemnity. The artist's meticulous attention to form and detail invites a deeper consideration of these symbols. Each creature—griffin, angel, winged lion, and winged ox—is framed by the distinctive shape, which acts as both a border and a unifying motif. Van der Kellen's choice of heraldic symbols and their arrangement could be interpreted through a semiotic lens, where each emblem functions as a signifier of status, virtue, or lineage. Consider how the formal qualities of line and shape contribute to the work's overall meaning, providing a fascinating glimpse into the cultural codes and artistic conventions of the period.