Allegorische compositie op de dood van predikant Andreas Andriessen 1801

This allegorical composition on the death of the preacher Andreas Andriessen presents a somber yet symbolic scene. Dominating the image is the open book, representing divine knowledge and Andriessen’s teachings. Above, an angel hovers, pointing to the text, a symbol of heavenly guidance and the soul’s ascent. The skull beneath the book is a memento mori, a reminder of mortality, a motif stretching back to antiquity. Serpents feature often in memento mori: a serpent biting its tail symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and death and our attempts to escape it. We see it in ancient Egyptian imagery and in alchemical symbols. Consider how the weeping figure, an allegory of grief, is presented. Such gestures are not merely artistic conventions, but rather echo deep emotional states. The intent is to engage viewers on a profound, subconscious level. This iconography is a continual return, a non-linear progression where symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time.