Het Perspectivum; intocht van Ferdinand te Gent in 1635 (nr. 40) 1635 - 1636

This engraving depicts the triumphal entry of Ferdinand of Spain into Ghent in 1635, created by an anonymous artist. It presents a meticulously rendered architectural structure, a perspectivum, erected for the occasion. These temporary structures were common in the 16th and 17th centuries for the arrival of royalty. They served as stages for elaborate displays of power and were designed to impress. This print is not just a record of the event, but also an assertion of Spanish authority in the region. Notice how the strict use of perspective and the detailed ornamentation reflect the desire to project an image of order. As you consider this image, reflect on how these displays reinforced social hierarchies and contributed to the complex relationship between rulers and the ruled, inviting us to consider whose stories are told and whose are erased in these grand narratives of power.