Hofdienaren in de lijkstoet van Anna van Hannover te Delft, 1759 1759 - 1761

In 1759, Simon Fokke etched the cortege of Anna van Hannover in Delft. Here, the eye is drawn to the figures draped in mourning cloaks, their somber attire speaking volumes about loss and tradition. The dark, heavy cloaks are visual symbols of grief, linking back to ancient Roman traditions where dark fabrics signified mourning. In a broader sense, they echo the practices of various cultures throughout history where specific garments were donned to honor the dead and to express sorrow. These cloaks bear a resemblance to the draped figures one finds on classical sarcophagi, timeless figures silently grieving. Grief is not merely a personal feeling but also a culturally shaped performance, passed down through generations. This act transcends time, revealing how collective memory and societal norms influence our expressions of sorrow. The uniformity of dress, the stoic demeanor, all point to a shared psychological understanding of loss. This is an illustration of cultural memory which continues to evolve, yet resonates with echoes of the past.