Gedenkteken voor J.M. Kemper in de Pieterskerk te Leiden 1835

This print by Leendert Springer depicts the memorial to J.M. Kemper in Leiden’s Pieterskerk. Note the imposing monument, a classical pillar. The pillar, rooted in antiquity, evokes notions of strength and remembrance. Yet, it's not just about commemorating an individual. Its form carries echoes of ancient obelisks and triumphal columns, symbols of power and eternity. The pillar is a motif that reappears across cultures, from the pillars of Hercules marking the edge of the known world to the lone pillars in desolate landscapes. The man looking at the monument embodies introspection. He is turned away from us, inviting contemplation on mortality and legacy. Such monuments tap into our collective memory, a desire to leave a mark against the inevitable flow of time. This echoes in the silent stones of Stonehenge or the pyramids of Giza. Here, the pillar isn't merely stone, but a vessel for profound human emotions, a longing for significance that resonates through centuries. It’s a non-linear progression—resurfacing, evolving, and accruing new layers of meaning in different contexts.