The Precious Tomb of the Old White King 1514 - 1516

Leonhard Beck’s ‘The Precious Tomb of the Old White King’ is a compelling early 16th-century print, rich in symbolic detail. The composition, dominated by strong vertical lines and dense hatching, creates a scene of solemn formality. The meticulous rendering of textures and patterns, from the stonework to the draped banners, enhances the sense of depth. The tomb itself is the central structure, a platform for the effigy of the king, around which candles flicker. The heraldic symbols adorning the tomb invite a semiotic reading, with each emblem acting as a signifier of power, lineage, and identity. Beck masterfully uses the formal structure of the print to investigate ideas of mortality and memory. The contrast between the rigid architectural elements and the soft, yielding forms of the drapery adds to the visual tension and complexity. This delicate interplay between form and content encourages a deeper reflection on the artwork. The lines invite us to explore the rich discourse around death and legacy.