Author: unknown
Date: 1751
Material: Wood, polychrome. Heraldic colours dominate blue, gold.
Technique : woodcut, polychromy
Dimensions, mm: 2900×1880
Restoration: The epitaph was restored in 1959-1962.– the painting was renewed, the missing parts were added.
The epitaph of Riga city concillor Johann von Benkendorf (22.02.1712 – 1.07.1751) has the typical composition of wooden epitaphs with a strictly defined two-part division: the coat of arms in the upper part, the inscription plate with the memorial text in the lower part, which provides brief information about the deceased.
The lower part is designed as a cartouche of a hand ornament. Text in German:
„Der Wohlgebohrne Herr
Johann von Benekendorff
Dieser Kayserl. Stadt Riga wohl meritirten
Rahts Herrn Land Vogt und Kasten Herr
Wie auch Inspektor derer im Lande belegenen
Stadts Gusern nat. 1712 d 22 October. Denat
1 Aug. 1751. Etat 38 Jahr 9 Monat 21 Tage.”
The upper part with the coat of arms is larger in size. Coat of arms: a blue vertical bar with three roses on a gold background. Above the shield is a helmet with twisted wreath decoration. The mantling of the helmet surrounds the shield.
J. Benkendorf”s epitaph is typical example of wooden epitaphs, which were widely produced during 17th -18th century, but survived to this day only in small numbers. It completes the overall picture of the development of memorial monuments in the art history of Latvia.