Hercules op de tweesprong; intocht van Ferdinand te Antwerpen in 1635 (nr. 39) 1639 - 1641

Theodoor van Thulden created this print, “Hercules at the Crossroads; Entry of Ferdinand into Antwerp in 1635,” a detailed engraving, sometime between 1635 and 1669. It’s a scene brimming with allegory and political messaging. At its heart, the image stages Hercules's famous choice between Vice and Virtue, a popular theme during the Baroque period. But Thulden cleverly intertwines this classical narrative with the political landscape of 17th-century Antwerp. The arrival of Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand, governor of the Habsburg Netherlands, is presented as a moment of choosing the virtuous path for the city. It's worth considering the role of spectacle and propaganda in shaping public perception. The glorification of Ferdinand through classical allegory serves to legitimize his rule and unite the city under his banner. What are we to make of Thulden’s artistic choices when the work is viewed through today's lens of power and representation? The print invites us to reflect on how historical events are framed, and the choices we face, both individually and collectively.