Margaretha van Parma door Alva uitgeleid, 1568 1588

This hand-colored etching by Frans Hogenberg captures Margaretha van Parma being escorted out of the city of Antwerp by the Duke of Alva in 1568. It marks a pivotal moment in the fraught relationship between the Netherlands and Spain, reflecting the religious and political tensions of the time. As governor of the Netherlands, Margaretha struggled to maintain order amidst growing Protestant dissent against Spanish rule. Her departure, orchestrated by the ruthless Duke of Alva, symbolized the end of a period of relative autonomy and the beginning of harsher Spanish control. You can almost feel the weight of the impending conflict, with Alva's presence looming large as he takes command. Look closely at the contrast in their body language, the etching subtly emphasizes the shift in power dynamics and the loss of local governance. The print serves not just as a historical record, but also as a powerful visual statement on the struggle for self-determination and the heavy cost of religious and political oppression.