Treurlied op het overlijden van koningin Maria Stuart, 1695 1695

This broadside, printed by Pieter Jooste in Amsterdam in 1695, commemorates the death of Queen Mary Stuart. The text is a lament, full of grief and praise for the Queen. This sorrow is a symbol of mourning, an outward expression of inward grief. Such lamentations have ancient roots. In classical antiquity, formalized expressions of grief were common, often accompanied by specific gestures and clothing. We see similar expressions across cultures. Consider the keening women of Ireland, whose cries at wakes are believed to help the departed soul transition. Or the elaborate mourning rituals in ancient Egypt. These rituals helped societies process loss, and honor the dead. The act of mourning, of public grieving, taps into our collective memory. These performances are not merely about the individual, but a shared experience, a cultural ritual. It binds communities, reminding us of our shared humanity and mortality. These emotional displays are powerful forces, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The cyclical progression of mourning resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.