Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XLIX), 1622 1623

This print, made in 1622 by Cornelis Galle I, depicts the funeral procession of Archduke Albrecht. Galle used the intaglio technique, a printmaking process in which the image is incised into a metal plate, in this case likely copper, and then inked. The pressure of the printing press forces the paper into the incised lines, picking up the ink, and creating a raised effect on the print. The stark black lines on the white paper give a high contrast, perfect for the image of the funeral. The artist has managed to convey the opulence, status, and wealth of the Archduke, with the smallest details carefully brought to life. The engraver's skilled hand transforms a sheet of metal into a complex visual narrative. Consider the amount of work involved in the production process. Engraving requires a high degree of skill and precision, reflecting the hierarchical nature of labor and the value placed on craftsmanship in the 17th century. By understanding the materials and processes involved, we can see how this print reflects and reinforces the social structures of its time.