Reproductie van een prent van een triomfboog voor Ferdinand van Oostenrijk door Peter Paul Rubens before 1880

This is a reproduction of a print depicting a triumphal arch for Ferdinand of Austria, created by an anonymous artist after Peter Paul Rubens. Triumphal arches like this one served as potent symbols of power and authority in the 17th century. Consider the arch not just as an architectural structure, but as a stage for displaying political and personal narratives. The imagery, filled with classical references and allegorical figures, elevates Ferdinand, reinforcing his status and lineage. Its construction and subsequent reproduction speak to the dissemination of power through visual culture. Who was invited to pass through this arch, and who was excluded? What stories did the arch tell, and whose stories were silenced? This image reflects the complex interplay between art, power, and identity.