Plate 6: Ferdinand receiving the keys to the city of Ghent; from Guillielmus Becanus's 'Serenissimi Principis Ferdinandi, Hispaniarum Infantis...' 1636

This print, made by Pieter de Jode II around the mid-17th century, depicts Ferdinand receiving the keys to the city of Ghent. It’s made by engraving, a printmaking process where lines are incised into a metal plate, which then holds ink and transfers the image to paper. Engraving like this was a highly skilled, labor-intensive process. Each line you see had to be cut by hand. The density and direction of those lines create shading and texture, giving the image depth and detail. It was a meticulous craft, demanding years of training and practice. This print wasn't just about artistic expression. It was about spreading information, shaping public opinion, and glorifying power. Prints like these were the mass media of their day, used to disseminate news and propaganda. Think about how the act of engraving, a slow and deliberate process, contrasts with the message it conveys: the swift and decisive transfer of power. The very material and making of the print thus speaks to the social and political context in which it was created.