Triomfboog van Ferdinand (achterzijde); intocht van Ferdinand te Antwerpen in 1635 (nr. 28) 1639 - 1641

Theodoor van Thulden created this print, "Triumphal Arch of Ferdinand (rear); entry of Ferdinand into Antwerp in 1635," during a time of significant political and religious upheaval in Europe. Van Thulden’s print immortalizes the ceremonial entry of Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria into Antwerp. Ferdinand's arrival as the new governor of the Spanish Netherlands marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing Eighty Years' War, a conflict deeply entwined with religious and political identities. The arch, laden with allegorical figures and inscriptions, acts as a stage for power, designed to impress upon viewers the might and legitimacy of Spanish rule. But what does it mean to build such a monument amidst war, poverty, and religious persecution? The arch becomes a complex symbol of power, propaganda, and the cultural landscape of the time, inviting us to consider the narratives that are both celebrated and suppressed in its construction. Reflect on the dualities within the artwork and consider how such displays of power resonate across history.