Plate 63: The magistrates of the city of Brussels marching in the funeral procession of Archduke Albert of Austria; from 'Pompa Funebris ... Alberti Pii' 1623

Cornelis Galle I created this print, Plate 63: The magistrates of the city of Brussels marching in the funeral procession of Archduke Albert of Austria, as part of a larger series. It provides a glimpse into the intricate rituals of power and mourning in the 17th century. Here, we see the magistrates of Brussels, all men, uniformly dressed, participating in the solemn procession. What does it mean to witness this display of civic authority, rendered through the medium of print? Galle, as the printmaker, plays a crucial role. His position as an artist shapes how this event is recorded and disseminated. The print not only documents the funeral, but also serves as a carefully constructed representation of power, class, and gender. Consider the emotional weight of the funeral procession itself, a public performance of grief intertwined with political statement. The print invites us to reflect on the relationship between individual identity, societal roles, and the ways in which collective memory is constructed.