Plate 22: Chamber aids marching in the funeral procession of Archduke Albert of Austria; from 'Pompa Funebris ... Alberti Pii' 1623

Cornelis Galle I created this print, "Plate 22" sometime in the 17th century. It depicts chamber aids marching in the funeral procession of Archduke Albert of Austria. The figures, draped in somber black robes, are the dominant visual element. These robes are more than mere garments, they are a powerful symbol of mourning and status, echoing similar vestments seen across various cultures and eras. The dark color, a visual shorthand for grief, has roots stretching back to ancient Rome, where dark togas signaled bereavement. Yet, in the choreography of collective mourning, the procession itself becomes a potent, universally understood symbol. Consider how similar processions are depicted in ancient Egyptian art, or even in modern-day state funerals. The act of communal mourning, regardless of time or culture, taps into our collective subconscious. It’s a ritual, deeply ingrained, that seeks to manage the psychological weight of loss, and in doing so, reinforces social bonds. This image is a testament to our shared human experience, a visual echo resonating through time.