Intocht van de hertog van Anjou te Antwerpen, 1582 c. 1582 - 1585

Frans Hogenberg created this print, "Entry of the Duke of Anjou into Antwerp, 1582," offering us a window into the political theater of the 16th century. The work captures the arrival of the Duke of Anjou amidst the complex dynamics of the Dutch Revolt. Anjou's entry symbolizes a moment of potential alliance for the embattled Dutch Republic against Spanish rule. Yet, this spectacle is also imbued with the tensions of class and power, as the Duke, representing French aristocracy, navigates the urban landscape of Antwerp, a hub of burgeoning mercantile power. The print subtly reveals the uneasy alliance between a declining aristocracy and a rising bourgeois class, each with its own aspirations and interests. Consider how Hogenberg, as a printmaker, disseminates this image to a broader public, shaping perceptions of this historical moment. It's a reminder that even seemingly celebratory events are often fraught with underlying socio-political currents, impacting the lives of everyone involved.