Ruiterstandbeeld van Filips II te Madrid 1694 - 1737

This engraving depicts the equestrian statue of Philip II in Madrid, created by Pieter van den Berge. The statue stands in the gardens of the Buen Retiro Palace, a space intended for leisure and display of power. Van den Berge’s print encapsulates the intricate dance between power, representation, and perception in the 17th and 18th centuries. Philip II, mounted on horseback, symbolizes authority and control, a carefully crafted image intended to project strength. The gardens themselves, populated by figures from various social strata, served as a stage where social hierarchies were both reinforced and subtly challenged. Consider how the artist uses perspective and scale to emphasize the statue's dominance, while also including ordinary people in the scene. This contrast invites us to reflect on the relationship between rulers and their subjects, and the ways in which power is negotiated in public spaces. The engraving not only documents a physical place, but also serves as a window into the complex social dynamics of the time.