Stamboom van het Habsburgse Huis, blad twee 1533 - 1535

This is the second page of ‘Stamboom van het Habsburgse Huis’ made by Robert Péril, but its date is unknown. It's an image that delves into the fascinating world of dynastic representation. Genealogical trees were not merely historical records; they were potent assertions of power, legitimacy, and continuity. Here, the Habsburg dynasty seeks to root itself in the deep past, intertwining its lineage with mythical figures and ancient rulers of the Franks. The visual codes are carefully constructed: each portrait, heraldic emblem, and accompanying text work together to create an impression of unbroken descent and divinely ordained authority. To understand this image fully, we would need to delve into the history of the Habsburgs. We must ask what the significance of linking themselves to the Franks would have been, and what political or ideological purposes this genealogy served. A dive into archival sources would reveal the complex social, cultural, and institutional contexts that shaped its creation. The meaning of this image lies in its historical contingency.