Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XIX), 1622 1623

Cornelis Galle I created this print in 1622, titled *Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XIX)*, which translates to *Funeral Procession of Archduke Albrecht*. The print immediately strikes us with its linear composition, a regimented row of figures uniformly dressed, differentiated only by subtle variations in posture and the fall of light. The artist masterfully employs line and hatching to create a sense of volume and texture, particularly in the elaborate ruffs and flowing robes. This formal approach serves to emphasize the structured nature of the procession. The repetition of figures, each a signifier of status and role, invites a semiotic reading. The print functions as a symbolic representation of power, order, and the hierarchical structures of the court. This calculated display is not merely a record of an event, but a carefully constructed image designed to communicate specific ideas about authority and legacy. The composition's rigidity, its reliance on line and form, underscores how meaning is produced through the interplay of visual elements, reflecting the cultural codes and social values of its time.