Gedenknaald voor A.F. Baron van der Duyn, 1793 1793

This print, made in 1793 by Jeremias Snoek, memorializes A.F. Baron van der Duyn with a symbolic tableau. Dominating the scene is an obelisk, a form that stretches back to ancient Egyptian sun worship, here signifying enduring memory and status. The image pulses with motifs of grief and remembrance. Note the mourners at the base, their bowed heads and clasped hands a universal language of sorrow. Above, putti—winged cherubs—hover, carrying the Baron's coat of arms. This motif, seen in antiquity and throughout the Renaissance, suggests divine favor and elevation to heavenly realms. Consider how the battlefield scene in the background contrasts with the solemn figures in the foreground. This juxtaposition serves as a memento mori, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life amidst the chaos of war. The image engages viewers on a subconscious level, compelling us to reflect on mortality and the enduring power of memory. These symbols reappear throughout history, evolving and adapting, yet always echoing our shared human experience of loss and remembrance.