Katafalk met kaarsen, nr. 1 1559

This is *Katafalk met kaarsen, nr. 1*, an engraving made by Joannes van (I) Doetechum in the late 16th century. This print is dominated by an elaborate, towering structure, meticulously rendered with fine lines and a symmetrical composition. The dark lines of the metalwork are sharply contrasted with the subtle coloring of the architectural and figural elements beneath. The formal arrangement here is fascinating: the dense framework of candleholders creates a visual lattice, obscuring and framing the tiers of what appears to be a chapel or mausoleum. This interplay of concealment and revelation brings into question the semiotics of death and mourning, where public displays of grief are carefully constructed. The structural layering could suggest a symbolic ascent, or perhaps the rigid hierarchies of social status reflected even in death. Notice how the skeletal structure of the metalwork imposes a kind of order, a stark frame, on the more ornate and colorful details. This work is not simply a depiction but a meditation on representation itself. The print invites us to contemplate how we construct meaning through visual systems.