Gedenkteken voor Petrus Haack - Jacobus Wijsman

A Neoclassical memorial print by Jacobus Wijsman, featuring an allegorical scene with a portrait medallion of Petrus Haack, mourning figures, and symbolic putti.

This print by Jacobus Wijsman serves as a memorial to Petrus Haack, a Dutch clergyman. The composition follows the conventions of Neoclassical funerary art, which frequently utilised allegorical figures to express mourning and remembrance. A central monument, shaped as a pedestal, supports an oval portrait medallion of Haack. A putto, representing a cherubic figure of mourning or divine presence, rests his hand upon the frame of the portrait.

To the left, a female figure in classical drapery stands in a pose of contemplation or grief, her gaze directed toward the monument. Her attire and posture reflect the influence of antique sculpture, a hallmark of the period. At the base of the monument, a second putto is depicted in a seated position, engaged with an open book. This inclusion suggests the intellectual or theological contributions of the deceased. The scene is framed by a wooded environment, with trees providing a natural canopy that softens the architectural lines of the tomb.

Technically, the work demonstrates the precision of early nineteenth-century printmaking. Wijsman employs varied line work to differentiate textures: the smooth surface of the stone pedestal, the soft folds of the fabric, and the organic forms of the foliage. The shading is achieved through a combination of fine cross-hatching and stippling, creating a sense of volume and depth within the monochrome medium. The print functions as a visual eulogy, balancing the personal identity of the subject with universal symbols of mortality and learning. It remains a representative example of the commemorative prints produced in the Netherlands during this era, intended for inclusion in private collections or as a tribute to public figures.