Gedenkteken voor Johan Diederich Deiman 1783

Theodoor Koning created this print, 'Gedenkteken voor Johan Diederich Deiman,' which now resides in the Rijksmuseum, using lines to define forms and spaces. The print presents an allegorical monument framed by an arch where symbolism and structure guide our experience. The composition is divided into distinct registers, each contributing to the overall narrative. At the base, skulls draped with fabric serve as a memento mori. Above, a blank tablet awaits inscription, flanked by draped fabric. The central scene features figures around a portrait of Johan Diederich Deiman. The personification of science, holding chemical instruments, gestures towards a portrait of Deiman. The verticality is reinforced by the architectural elements. Consider how Koning uses the semiotic language of his time, employing classical motifs and allegorical figures to construct a narrative around remembrance and legacy. The precise lines and balanced composition reflect the Enlightenment values. Through its structured design and symbolic elements, this print invites reflection on mortality, knowledge, and representation.