Wensbrief met decoratief kader Possibly 1775 - 1850

This decorative letter by the widow C. Kok-van Kolm features scenes of labor framed by floral motifs. The overarching theme appears to be that of *tempus*, or time, and its impact on the lives of common folk. Observe how images of laborers tending the soil and toiling with mallets, which are all intertwined with roses, vases, and birds that convey a sense of harmony and continuity. This contrasts sharply with the classical personification of Tempus as an old man with a scythe, representing decay and mortality. But the roses and birds, traditionally symbols of love and rebirth, create a comforting visual of a more gentle passing of time. These motifs recur throughout art history—roses in funerary art, doves in scenes of peace. They become part of our collective visual memory, resurfacing in different contexts, and their meanings evolving. It speaks to our deeply ingrained subconscious understanding of time's passage and the emotional weight we give to it.