Draped Obelisk Grave Monument for "Holme", No. 933 (recto); Sketch of a grave (verso) 1840 - 1880

This pencil drawing by Alexander Maxwell (1838-1880) depicts a design for a grave monument, likely for the Holme family. Dated between 1840-1880, the drawing shows a tall obelisk with a draped fabric detail, a traditional symbol of mourning, resting on a multi-tiered base. The inscription "HOLME" at the base solidifies the piece as a funerary design. This drawing is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is a testament to the 19th century's preoccupation with death and commemoration.