A Catafalque with Candles 

Editor: This is "A Catafalque with Candles," an 18th-century drawing by an artist from the British School. The sheer number of candles is striking. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The catafalque itself is a potent symbol, a raised platform representing the deceased, draped in cloth, surrounded by candles. Consider the candle. It represents the ephemeral nature of life, doesn’t it? Editor: Yes, definitely. Curator: Light against darkness. The candlelight, a symbol of hope, memory, even divinity, piercing the darkness of mourning and loss. The sheer number of candles may symbolize the importance of the deceased. What else strikes you? Editor: It’s interesting to consider how collective rituals like these evolve over time. Curator: Indeed. This artwork reminds us how symbols resonate across generations.