Drie houtsnijwerken uit de kathedraal van Reims, afgebeeld een priester en twee soldaten before 1883

These three wood carvings from Reims Cathedral, documented by Joseph Trompette, present a compelling ensemble of figures frozen in time. Each panel, with its distinct character—a priest and two soldiers—offers a window into the medieval psyche. Notice the soldiers, clad in armor, evoke Mars, the god of war. Yet, observe their stillness; this isn't triumphant valor, but a somber reflection. Consider the priest, his garments suggesting spiritual authority. The posture of each figure, contained within the Gothic frame, speaks volumes. The motif of the recumbent figure echoes through history, from ancient sarcophagi to Renaissance effigies. This representation of repose, of a life paused, transcends mere portraiture. It taps into a deeper, shared understanding of mortality and remembrance. Such recurring symbols reveal how collective memory shapes our visual language, engaging us in a timeless dialogue with the past.