Lijkstatie van Willem IV, 1752, plaat 19 1753

This is Jan Punt's 1752 etching, "Lijkstatie van Willem IV, plaat 19," now residing in the Rijksmuseum. Here, we observe a procession rendered in somber tones, dominated by figures draped in heavy, dark cloaks and wide-brimmed hats. These garments, beyond mere fashion, speak to the profound symbolism of mourning. Black, the absence of light, has long been associated with grief and solemnity. Remember ancient Roman funerals, where mourners donned dark togas, a practice echoing through the centuries. Even today, similar vestments appear in religious and state funerals, demonstrating a sustained cultural language. The covered heads, a sign of humility and respect, can be traced back to antiquity. These figures, shrouded in darkness, evoke a collective sense of loss, tapping into our shared, perhaps even subconscious, understanding of grief. This is the power of images—to stir deeply felt emotions, connecting us across time through a universal human experience.