Lijkstatie van Willem IV, 1752, plaat 28 1754

Jan Punt created this print in 1752, titled *Lijkstatie van Willem IV, plaat 28*. It captures a procession, dominated by figures cloaked in mourning attire. The most striking symbol here is the color black, a long-standing emblem of grief and mourning in Western cultures. But consider its evolution: in ancient Rome, mourners wore dark togas, a practice perhaps rooted in the desire to hide from the spirits of the dead. This primal fear, this desire to blend into the shadows, echoes through centuries. Even today, black clothing at funerals serves not only as a sign of respect but also as a somber acknowledgement of mortality. The collective memory of loss is a potent force. The image of a funeral procession transcends its immediate context, tapping into our shared understanding of grief, loss, and the inevitable cycle of life and death. This scene echoes through time, a testament to the enduring power of symbols to evoke deep, subconscious emotions.