Huwelijk tussen Filips de Schone en Johanna van Castilië; intocht van Ferdinand te Antwerpen in 1635 (nr. 14) 1639 - 1641

Editor: This is "Marriage between Philip the Fair and Joanna of Castile; the Entry of Ferdinand into Antwerp in 1635," an engraving made between 1639 and 1641 by Theodoor van Thulden. The formality of the scene makes me wonder about its historical context. What stands out to you? Curator: What strikes me is the conscious deployment of iconographic language. The figures almost seem to pose, weighed down by the expectation of historical representation. The orb presented to Joanna likely represents the globe, symbolic of the vast territories over which she would rule. Do you see how this object infuses a political charge to what would otherwise be a sentimental and social gesture? Editor: Absolutely! And the architectural elements behind them—do they reference a particular historical style, perhaps to add another layer of meaning? Curator: Precisely! The archway and classical drapery invoke the Roman Empire, associating the Hapsburg dynasty with that legacy of power and order. See how that angel hovering behind Joanna further validates the divine right they asserted. Are you getting a sense for how Thulden used this imagery? Editor: Yes! It is interesting to think about this print functioning almost like propaganda through carefully considered visual cues. Curator: Indeed. These weren’t just decorative; they served to reinforce specific narratives about power, lineage, and destiny that are still echoing in our own contemporary symbolism. Editor: Looking closer now, I am noticing even more how densely packed the image is with symbolic elements. It makes me want to dig deeper into the history! Curator: Me too. It is often said that we interpret the present through the past. This is the visual legacy that allows us to do so.