Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XLIIII), 1622 1623

This is Cornelis Galle I's 1622 engraving, "Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht," currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. The image displays a somber procession, rendered in precise lines, with each figure meticulously detailed. The stark contrast of black ink against the white of the paper emphasizes the solemnity and formality of the event. Compositionally, the artist uses linear perspective to guide the eye through the unfolding sequence of mourners. The figures are arranged in a deliberate order, leading the viewer to contemplate the hierarchical structure of the society depicted. Semiotically, the flags bearing heraldic symbols serve as signs of power and lineage. The somber attire and solemn expressions further reinforce a cultural code of mourning and respect. Galle's engraving, in its detailed depiction of the funeral procession, serves not just as a historical record but also as a commentary on the social order and the performative aspects of mourning rituals in the 17th century. The formality, the use of line, the arrangement of the figures—all contribute to a symbolic representation of power and its transition.