Gedenkteken voor Jacob Wijs 1828 - 1830

This print, made by Walraad Nieuwhoff, presents us with a commemorative monument dominated by symbols of mortality and faith. The most striking is the cross, held by a draped figure, its form echoing across centuries and cultures as a symbol of sacrifice and redemption. Observe how this symbol, rooted in early Christian iconography, has appeared in countless iterations, from simple wooden structures to elaborate gilded artifacts. Here, it stands alongside the figure of a weeping woman, a classical motif of mourning, echoing gestures found in ancient Roman sarcophagi. Above, an allegorical figure carries a scythe, the ancient symbol of death. This reappearance is not merely aesthetic, it is a cultural echo, resonating with primal fears and collective memories. Such visual language engages the viewer on a deeply subconscious level, eliciting a sense of shared humanity across time. It is a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of life, death, and remembrance, recurring through history.