Begrafenis van Daniël Raap, 1754 1754

This engraving from 1754 depicts the funeral of Daniël Raap. At the heart of this scene is the stark image of a horse pulling the deceased's coffin, a symbol deeply rooted in cultural memory. Such a procession, here depicted with the solemnity befitting the passing of a notable figure, echoes through history. Consider, for instance, the ancient Roman triumphs, where animals also played a part in the display of power and status. The act of leading an animal in procession transcends mere practicality; it becomes a charged symbol, invoking themes of subjugation, respect, and the passage of time. The image stirs the collective subconscious, reminding us of our shared mortality and the rituals we devise to navigate the inevitable. Just as the ancients used imagery to grapple with existential questions, here, in 18th-century fashion, we see a society confronting death, albeit with its own distinct symbols and expressions. Indeed, the horse-drawn coffin persists, cycling through history, evolving, yet eternally tethered to its origins as a potent emblem of loss and remembrance.