Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XLVIII), 1622 1623

Cornelis Galle I created this print titled *Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht* in 1622. This work immortalizes a funerary procession, a public display laden with political significance. Albrecht’s identity as a ruler is carefully constructed through symbolic representation. In the 17th century, such displays reinforced hierarchies of power, with each figure in the procession embodying a specific role in the social order. The flags on display were not mere decoration; they signified lineage, territory, and authority. Consider how power is not just asserted but also performed. Albrecht’s identity was constructed through the ceremonial projection of his status. Galle's detailed rendering invites us to reflect on the rituals that perpetuate social and political norms. The solemnity of the procession is a reminder of mortality, yet it simultaneously asserts the enduring nature of power. The identities of those participating and observing were shaped by the spectacle of grief and the affirmation of dynastic continuity. Reflect on how this funerary procession created a sense of collective identity tied to leadership.