Fotoreproductie van een stempel naar een grafsteen van abt Robert III van de Abdij van Bec before 1861

This is a photograph of a stamp, which in turn was based on the tombstone of Abbot Robert III of Bec Abbey. Though the photograph is of course a modern reproductive medium, let’s focus on the original object. The tombstone would have been a monumental work in stone, likely limestone, requiring expertise in quarrying, carving, and the handling of large, heavy materials. The stamp, in contrast, would have been made of metal, a much more portable medium. The stamp is essentially a matrix for reproduction – pressing the design repeatedly onto wax seals, or perhaps even printed images on paper. The act of reproduction, of course, diminishes the aura of the original, making it available more widely. In this case, the tombstone—already a powerful statement of Robert’s status—becomes a repeatable image, disseminating his power even further. This little picture is not just a record, but a demonstration of how authority can be amplified through craft.