Overlijdensbericht aan Philip Zilcken Possibly 1903 - 1909

This is a death announcement for Paul Philip Rink, created by Arti et Amicitiae in 1903. Although simple, the announcement is a powerful symbol of remembrance, echoing ancient traditions of commemorating the deceased. Consider the act of announcing death itself. From the inscribed epitaphs of ancient Greece to the printed obituaries of today, this act serves to memorialize the individual, marking their passage in the collective memory. In ancient cultures, names of the dead were inscribed on monuments, a practice designed to ensure their immortality through remembrance. This act is deeply rooted in humanity's quest to transcend mortality, suggesting a psychological need to preserve identity beyond physical existence. Notice how the starkness of the printed text, devoid of elaborate ornamentation, directs our focus to the essential information—a life concluded, a final farewell. The act of announcing death serves as a potent reminder of our shared mortality, a memento mori that resonates across time and cultures.