Grafmonument met portret van Peter Stähelin 1815 - 1817

Johann Heinrich Lips created this print, "Grave Monument with Portrait of Peter Stähelin," at an unknown date. The print depicts a somber scene, steeped in the visual language of mourning prevalent in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. At its center, the grave monument dedicated to Peter Stähelin, who lived from 1746 to 1810, displays his portrait. A woman sits beside the tombstone, with her head leaning on her hand in an attitude of sorrow, while a lamb rests by her side. A cross, book, and anchor, all symbols of faith, hope, and salvation, lie at the base of the monument. Consider the cultural context: this was a period marked by significant social and political upheaval. The rise of revolutionary ideals challenged existing structures, while simultaneously, there was a deep interest in sentimentalism, and the expression of emotions. How do these tensions manifest in Lips' representation of grief and remembrance? The lamb traditionally represents gentleness and innocence, reflecting the traditional depiction of women as caregivers.