Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XVI), 1622 1623

Curator: Looking at this print, "Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht", from around 1623 by Cornelis Galle I, my first impression is almost theatrical. There's something about the way these figures are lined up. Editor: The composition certainly evokes a formal procession. Beyond the aesthetic, it's crucial to remember this print captures the funeral procession of Archduke Albrecht, a figure of significant political power in the Netherlands. Each figure's attire speaks volumes about the strict social hierarchies of the time. Curator: Oh, absolutely, they all seem so somber. Almost like figures in a play about grief, each carrying the weight of tradition, you can feel the solemnity with how he renders the folds of the fabric, heavy with formality. Editor: Indeed. Notice how the print carefully delineates various officials - labeled "Valets d'officiers," or Servants of Office. The costumes are rendered in detail which denotes each individual's role and position within the Archduke’s court. Curator: Yes! And despite being a somber occasion, there is something elegant in this depiction. The artist does such a striking job of portraying such refined clothing and ornamentation with only stark, etched lines. Do you find the severe uniformity compelling or suffocating? Editor: I find it speaks to the rigid power structures and performative mourning that characterized royal funerals, which became stages for enacting, solidifying, and broadcasting power. Each valet, seemingly identical yet subtly distinguished by role, underscores the complex dance of grief, politics, and societal expectation. These men carry on the protocols surrounding authority, rather than expressing anything personally. Curator: And now, as we exit, I find myself considering how even in death, ceremony dictates everything. Editor: Precisely. The print isn't just a historical record. It is also a visual embodiment of enduring social and political mechanics of mourning and legacy.