Graftombe van Gerrit van Assendelft en Beatrix van Dalem 1730 - 1736

Pieter van Cuyck created this print of the tomb of Gerrit van Assendelft and Beatrix van Dalem. The tomb is adorned with heraldic shields, emblems of lineage and power at the time. These symbols offer a glimpse into the social hierarchy of the 18th century, and how identity was constructed through class and heritage. The tomb itself—an elaborate monument—speaks to the privilege afforded to those of high social standing, a stark contrast to the lives of the common people. Consider how the artist uses the graphic medium to memorialize the elite, immortalizing their status and legacy. How does this image invite us to reflect on the nature of memory, and whose stories are deemed worthy of preservation? It is a visual document which prompts us to consider the emotional weight of legacy and the social structures that dictate it.