Nieuwe kist voor Michiel de Ruyter, 1881 1881 - 1882

This is a photograph from 1881 of the lid for Michiel de Ruyter's new coffin, commissioned by Wegner and Mottu. Note the prominent crown atop the decorative cartouche. The crown, a universal symbol of sovereignty and authority, appears here not just as a marker of status, but as an assertion of enduring power. Consider its earlier echoes: the laurel wreaths of Roman emperors, the bejeweled crowns of medieval monarchs. This symbol transcends mere authority. It is a psychological anchor, a conduit to inherited ideas of leadership and national pride. It reflects a collective yearning for stability and greatness. Note that the coffin lid bearing this crown was created a full two centuries after the death of this celebrated admiral. It shows how symbols are not static; they evolve, resurface, and gain new layers of meaning across generations. The crown endures, a testament to our persistent fascination with power and legacy.