Dood van graaf Willem IV, 1345 1722 - 1750

Simon Fokke's engraving depicts the death of Count William IV in 1345. Observe the raised arms of the figures. This gesture echoes across centuries, appearing in ancient Roman art as a symbol of triumph or supplication, and later, in Christian iconography, to denote divine communication. Consider, for instance, how a similar posture appears in depictions of the Annunciation. Here, it signifies acceptance of divine will, but in Fokke’s print, it is a cry of despair, the same gesture, yet inverted in meaning by circumstance. This evolution reveals the complex layers of cultural memory. It’s as though the subconscious mind of the artist recalls these primal gestures, re-contextualizing them. The psychological weight of such symbols is immense, engaging viewers on a deep, often unconscious level. The anguish of loss is visceral. Thus, the image demonstrates the non-linear progression of symbols, perpetually resurfacing and evolving, their meanings shaped and reshaped by history's relentless currents.