Karel V, Ferdinand I,Isabella, Eleonora, Catharina en Maria te paard 1521 - 1526

This engraving, "Karel V, Ferdinand I, Isabella, Eleonora, Catharina en Maria te paard," was made by Jan van Nieu(landt). It presents a complex visual and political statement about power, lineage, and gender in the 16th century. The artwork depicts a procession of prominent figures of the Habsburg dynasty on horseback. The men and women in this image are not merely individuals but symbols of dynastic power and imperial ambition. Gender plays a crucial role in how this power is represented, as the women, though regal, are positioned alongside the men, reinforcing a patriarchal structure of inheritance. Each figure is labeled, identifying their role in this theater of power. "Plus Oultre," meaning "further beyond," is inscribed on a banner beneath the figures, evoking the Habsburgs' aspirations for territorial expansion and global dominance. The artist uses traditional representations to celebrate the dynasty. The emotional resonance of this piece lies in its grand, almost propagandistic assertion of imperial might. The artwork reflects societal issues of its time, such as the consolidation of power through dynastic marriages and military conquest. It also speaks to the personal dimensions of identity, as each figure is both an individual and a representative of their lineage.