Burgemeester Lancelot van Ursel geeft schepen Cornelis van Spangen het bevel over de burgerwacht after 1863

Jean Baptiste Pierre Michiels created this print, "Burgemeester Lancelot van Ursel geeft schepen Cornelis van Spangen het bevel over de burgerwacht", using etching. The composition is dominated by the linear precision of architectural elements and the ordered arrangement of figures, creating a visually structured narrative. Notice how Michiels uses line to define the forms, and how the textures of clothing and stone are meticulously rendered. The contrast between light and shadow is stark, enhancing the dramatic effect of the scene. This deliberate use of light not only directs our gaze but also imbues the scene with a sense of gravity. The artwork’s formal structure invites us to consider its ideological underpinnings. How do the precise lines and careful arrangement of figures reinforce notions of order and authority? The print thus functions as a complex sign, reflecting and shaping cultural values.