Design for an Epitaph 1660

Jean Lenfant etched "Design for an Epitaph" in the 17th century, during a period of significant social stratification across Europe. Death and commemoration were highly ritualized, often reflecting one’s social status. Lenfant's print offers a glimpse into the performative aspects of mourning and remembrance amongst the elite. The cherubic figures draped in royal cloaks contrast sharply with the skull, a memento mori, reminding us of the transience of life irrespective of earthly status. The blank escutcheon suggests the personalization of grief within the confines of class and heraldry. What might it have meant to those excluded from such elaborate displays of grief? This design prompts us to consider how societal structures shape our most profound personal experiences and expressions of loss.