Uitleg over de graftombe van Maurice de Saxe in de St-Thomas kerk in Straatsburg 1776

This print, made by Christian von Mechel, illustrates the tomb of Maurice de Saxe. It is filled with symbols reflecting the man's life and the allegorical figures of the period. Consider the pyramid in the background, an ancient symbol of power and eternity, appearing in Egyptian tombs and Renaissance emblems alike. The pyramid transcends cultures, each time evolving in meaning yet still conveying ideas of strength and lasting legacy. Death, personified as an allegorical figure, is here triumphant but the pyramid is an attempt to defy time. The emotional power in this image comes from the contrast between the finite human form and the eternal architecture of the tomb. The image engages us on a deep, subconscious level. It illustrates the non-linear progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.