Lijkstoet 1778 - 1785

"Lijkstoet" ("Funeral Procession"), created between 1778-1785 by Dutch artist Noach van der Meer, is an etching depicting a somber scene of mourners carrying a coffin through a wooded landscape. The composition is dominated by the central group of figures, their expressions of grief emphasized by the stark contrast between their dark clothing and the lighter tones of the surrounding foliage. Van der Meer's meticulous detail and skillful rendering of light and shadow imbue the artwork with a sense of pathos and solemnity, typical of 18th-century Dutch engravings. This etching, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a poignant glimpse into the mourning rituals of its time.