Plate 35: Men with heraldic flags and horses from Charolois marching in the funeral procession of Archduke Albert of Austria; from 'Pompa Funebris ... Alberti Pii' 1623

Cornelis Galle I created this print, "Plate 35," as part of a series commemorating the funeral procession of Archduke Albert of Austria. It gives us a glimpse into the intricate rituals and displays of power that defined the era. Here, we see men from Charolois, identified by their heraldic flags and horses, participating in the solemn procession. The figures are rendered with careful attention to detail in their garments and expressions. The elaborate flags and the richly adorned horses stand as symbols of status. What’s particularly striking is the visual language of power and the performance of identity. Each element, from the garments to the flags, serves to publicly declare the status and allegiance of those involved. Galle's work serves as a reminder of the ways in which identity, power, and grief were intertwined. It invites us to reflect on the historical construction of identity through performance.