Grafmonument van Robert van Ittersum tot Nijenhuis in de Nicolaaskerk te Wijhe 1911

This photograph captures the tomb of Robert van Ittersum tot Nijenhuis, located in the Nicolaaskerk in Wijhe, its maker is unknown. Monuments like these are not just stone and inscription; they're powerful statements about identity, class, and the stories a family wishes to project. Consider the social hierarchy of the time. The elite often used such displays of wealth and status to solidify their positions, reminding everyone—from the local villagers to visiting dignitaries—of their lasting influence. The symbols and heraldry carved into the monument would have been immediately recognizable to contemporaries, broadcasting the family's lineage and alliances. But who gets remembered, and how, always involves choices. Perhaps some stories were emphasized while others were conveniently left out. As you look, ask yourself: what narrative is being constructed, and whose voices are absent? What does it feel like to be confronted with such a stark reminder of mortality and social stratification? This monument invites us to reflect on how we, too, shape our legacies and how history remembers us.