Monument voor Salomon Gessner nabij Zürich 1788 - 1835

Carl Wilhelm Kolbe created this print of the monument to Salomon Gessner near Zurich. The monument, set within a tranquil grove, is a temple dedicated to memory, where Gessner’s bust sits above a relief of Arcadian shepherds. Note how the weeping willow frames the scene, its drooping branches a classical symbol of mourning and remembrance. Weeping willows were often planted near graves, their image a reminder of loss and the passage of time. This motif can be traced back to ancient burial rites, where specific trees were associated with lamentation and the underworld. This symbol taps into a shared emotional understanding of grief, engaging viewers on a deeply subconscious level. The cyclical nature of symbols reveals itself as the weeping willow resurfaces through ages, perpetually linked with grief. From ancient funerary art to modern memorial sites, its presence underscores our timeless connection to loss, reminding us of our shared humanity across different epochs.