Monument ter nagedachtenis aan het overlijden van predikant Van Rossum te Delft met zijn portret en twee treurende allegorische vrouwen 1810

This print by Antonie and Pieter van der Beek commemorates the passing of Reverend Van Rossum in Delft, using symbols laden with meaning. We see two allegorical women in mourning, flanking a memorial obelisk. The woman on the left, with an anchor, traditionally represents hope, here diminished in sorrow. On the right, the figure leans on a spear, a classical symbol of strength and authority, yet now suggesting vulnerability. Above Van Rossum's portrait, cherubs float, one bearing a laurel wreath, signifying honor. But notice the dove above the inscription, an ancient symbol of peace but also of the soul's journey, echoing through centuries from early Christian art to present day. This visual language creates an emotionally charged atmosphere, where symbols act as conduits for shared cultural grief. These symbols are not static, they reappear in various forms throughout art history. Each use subtly alters our perception, influencing how we collectively process themes of loss and remembrance.