Intocht van Matthias te Brussel, 1578 1613 - 1615

This etching, "Entry of Matthias in Brussels, 1578," was made by an anonymous artist. The composition is structured around the procession entering Brussels, dominated by a fortified city gate on the right and a detailed landscape extending into the background on the left. The lines etched into the metal create a dense network of marks, producing a range of textures that define forms and spaces. The artist employs a semiotic system through the representation of architecture, figures and their arrangement to communicate power and order. The precise rendering of the architectural structures and the positioning of the figures convey a strong sense of narrative. The artwork uses the formal elements of line, texture, and composition to create a sense of historical event and political narrative. It serves as a site for ongoing interpretation, engaging with historical and cultural contexts beyond its immediate aesthetic qualities.