Vignet til J. H. Colmanns Jubel-predigt 1789

This small etching was made by Frederik Ludvig Bradt. At its heart, we see a classical urn, draped with cloth, flanked by winged figures holding laurel wreaths. Above, light radiates from an unseen source, illuminating the scene. The urn, a vessel for ashes, is a potent symbol of mourning and remembrance, echoing ancient Greek and Roman funerary practices. The draped cloth adds an element of concealment, a veil between worlds. Figures holding laurel wreaths—symbols of honor and victory—suggest this is not just a scene of mourning, but also of celebration. We see this motif across time and place, from ancient sarcophagi to Renaissance paintings. It embodies a complex emotional tapestry, interweaving sorrow with hope. The cyclical return of such symbols speaks to our enduring need to process loss, and to commemorate the enduring spirit.