Titelprent met man bij een rotsblok waarop tekst uitgehouwen is 1790

Jacques André Joseph Trachez created this print, featuring a man standing near a rock, sometime in the late 18th century. The rock itself is the dominant symbol, bearing an inscription dedicated to the Count of Leeuworghem. The motif of inscribed stone has ancient roots, echoing classical steles and monuments designed to immortalize names and deeds. Think of the Rosetta Stone, a key to unlocking lost languages, or even earlier Mesopotamian tablets. The impulse to mark the earth, to leave a lasting impression of our existence, is primal. Consider how this urge transforms across cultures. From ancient Egyptian obelisks to modern-day graffiti, we see the same desire to assert presence and convey meaning. The stone becomes a vessel, its surface a canvas for our collective memories and aspirations. This is a powerful engagement; we seek to make our mark, to be remembered.