Parma geridderd in de orde van het Gulden Vlies, 1585 1613 - 1615

This etching, dating back to 1585, is attributed to an anonymous artist and depicts Parma being knighted into the Order of the Golden Fleece. Visually, the image is a complex arrangement of lines and forms, characteristic of the period's engraving style. Notice how the composition is structured around a central space, framed by architectural and landscape elements. The foreground presents a fortified structure, guiding our eyes towards the bustling scene of the knighting ceremony in the middle ground. Here, the artist uses linear perspective to convey depth, organizing figures and objects to create a sense of spatial coherence. The architecture and weaponry punctuate the scene with geometric rigor, while the puffs of smoke introduce an element of dynamism and chaos. It challenges viewers to consider the relationship between power, representation, and historical narrative, reflecting the political and cultural complexities inherent in such displays of authority. Ultimately, the etching is a formal exercise in structuring space and meaning, a testament to the engraver's skill in translating narrative into a visual language.