Design for a Monument (recto) 19th century

This is a graphite sketch of a "Design for a Monument" by an anonymous artist on a sheet of paper. Monuments are cultural artifacts, often created to reinforce particular narratives about historical events or figures. Consider the power dynamics inherent in memorialization – who gets remembered, and how? The two figures draped in cloth on either side of the design suggest classical antiquity, a common language of commemoration. The sketch shows a dedication to "D.O.M." which stands for "Deo Optimo Maximo", meaning "to God, the best and greatest". Think about how monuments reflect societal values and beliefs, and how the act of memorialization can shape collective memory. How do the design choices in this sketch convey specific ideas about honor, remembrance, and legacy? As you consider the sketch, reflect on the way we engage with monuments today, and whose stories they tell, or often, whose they omit.