Begrafenissen bij de gereformeerden te Amsterdam en Den Haag, ca. 1730 1732 - 1736

Around 1730, Bernard Picart created "Begrafenissen bij de gereformeerden te Amsterdam en Den Haag," an engraving that offers us a glimpse into the funeral rituals of the Dutch Reformed Church in Amsterdam and The Hague. Picart, living in an era marked by religious and social stratification, meticulously captures the somber processions. What strikes me is the clear distinction in attire, subtly hinting at the social hierarchies present even in death. Gender, too, plays a silent role, with women often segregated or positioned differently within the mourning crowds. The presence of children and even dogs adds an unexpected layer of everyday life to these solemn events. Picart doesn't just show us a funeral; he reveals a community grappling with loss, each individual performing their role within a complex social script. There is something profoundly human in these scenes, a reminder of our shared mortality and the rituals we create to navigate it.