Overlijden van Johannes Hubertus Bottier 1817

This oval silver medal commemorates the death of Johannes Hubertus Bottier, and presents us with a scene laden with symbolism. Central to the composition is a tomb, draped with cloth, flanked by weeping willows. The motif of the tomb, an archetypal image of mortality, has roots stretching back to antiquity; think of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, a testament to eternal remembrance. The weeping willow, with its cascading branches, embodies grief and mourning, reminiscent of similar symbols used in classical antiquity and echoed in Renaissance paintings. These motifs are not merely decorative; they serve as emotional conduits. Such symbols tap into our collective consciousness, resonating with deeply ingrained cultural and psychological associations. The cyclical nature of these symbols, their repeated appearance throughout history, highlights our enduring engagement with themes of loss and remembrance. It's a non-linear, cyclical progression, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.