Genealogical Tree of the Austrian Royal Family, plate 32 from Casperius Gevartius, Pompa Introitus Honori Serenissimi Principis Ferdinandi (Triumphal Entry of the Most Serene and Honorable Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand) 1642

Theodoor van Thulden made this print, Genealogical Tree of the Austrian Royal Family, in Antwerp. It was part of a series of prints documenting the ceremonial entry of Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand into the city in 1635. In the 17th century, the Habsburgs of Austria and Spain were among Europe's most powerful dynasties, and genealogies like this helped bolster their claims to legitimacy. Here, the artist represents the family tree as a literal tree, with its roots in the past and its branches extending to the present. The scene below shows Ferdinand's ceremonial entry into Antwerp, with members of the Austrian Royal Family looking on. The print is an idealized depiction of the Habsburgs' power and influence. The figures are depicted as being in perfect harmony and the overall effect is one of grandeur and authority. To fully understand it, we might consult primary sources, such as accounts of the entry ceremony, as well as secondary sources on the history of the Habsburg dynasty and the city of Antwerp. This helps us appreciate the image as a product of its time, and the role of art in shaping political power.