Design for an Urn 1765 - 1795

This is a graphite on paper sketch for an urn, made by an anonymous artist. At first glance, the design seems straightforward, but let’s consider the cultural context in which urns were often commissioned and displayed. Historically, urns frequently served as commemorative objects, meant to memorialize individuals, families, or even historical events. Given this context, we can consider what it means to create an urn for display. Who is being memorialized here? What values or narratives are being upheld? The delicate floral patterns and classical shape may evoke sentiments of reverence and nostalgia. But there's also a feeling of absence because of the anonymity of the artist which leaves us to grapple with broader societal themes of loss, memory, and the stories we choose to preserve. It becomes less about the individual and more about the collective human experience.