Begrafenisstoet met rouwpaarden en dragers van helm en schild 1592

This engraving by Frans Hogenberg, made around the late 16th century, depicts a stately funeral procession, rich with symbolic meaning. Notice the escutcheons bearing heraldic arms, each a visual marker of lineage and noble identity. These symbols are not unique to this time; heraldry has ancient roots, evolving from battlefield identifiers to emblems of family honor. The horse, draped in mourning, also carries layers of symbolism, frequently representing nobility, strength, and even the journey to the afterlife. Consider its echoes in classical art, such as equestrian statues of Roman emperors, where the horse signifies power and dominion. Here, the somber procession is a display of collective grief and remembrance, tapping into our deep-seated need to honor the dead. This reminds us that images possess a potent, almost primal force, engaging viewers on a level far beyond the merely representational, and how symbols evolve, resurface, and are imbued with new significance in different eras.