Graftombe van Willem I, prins van Oranje, 1623 1690

This etching by Willem Swidde depicts the tomb of Willem I, Prince of Orange, in 1623. The tomb is surrounded by allegorical figures. Notice the figure holding a book, representing wisdom and knowledge—a symbol of the virtues the Prince embodied. Consider how this motif echoes through time, like the ancient Roman sculptures where figures hold scrolls representing law and civic virtue. The book here is not merely an object but a potent signifier, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. The image touches something primal within us—the desire to honor and commemorate those who have shaped our world. Just as the figures on the tomb evoke a sense of reverence, we, too, are drawn to the memory and the echoes of history. The symbol of the book as a symbol of legacy will evolve through the ages, becoming a repository of collective wisdom.