Dood van Septimius Severus 1807

Ludwig Gottlieb Portman created this print depicting the death of Septimius Severus. Here, we see the Roman emperor on his deathbed, surrounded by figures laden with symbolic weight. The most striking of these is the urn being presented to the dying emperor, symbolising mortality and the containment of life's essence. This motif of the vessel holding vital energy echoes across centuries, from ancient Egyptian canopic jars preserving organs for the afterlife, to medieval reliquaries safeguarding the remains of saints. In each instance, the vessel is a potent symbol of preservation and continuity, a bulwark against the ravages of time. Yet, the meaning shifts. What was once a symbol of immortality becomes a stark reminder of our temporal limits. This evolution is no accident; it reflects our collective, subconscious confrontation with death. We yearn to transcend it, yet we are inevitably drawn back to the reality of our mortal coil. The image, heavy with emotion, engages the viewer on a deep, subconscious level. The symbol’s cyclical journey reveals how cultural memory shapes our understanding of life and death. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings.