Optocht van Karel V met de paus te Bologna na zijn kroning to keizer, 1530 Possibly 1530 - 1620

Nicolaas Hogenberg made this print, “Procession of Charles V and the Pope in Bologna after his coronation as Emperor, 1530,” in 1530. The print commemorates a powerful symbolic convergence: the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope, representing the intertwined nature of political and spiritual authority in Renaissance Europe. Here, we see Charles V and the Pope together, evoking the long shadow of Roman imperial triumphs. Consider how the act of coronation itself—the placing of a crown—reverberates across centuries, from ancient emperors to medieval monarchs, each claiming divine right. This echoes in Byzantine art, where emperors are depicted with halos, signaling divine favor. These are not merely historical costumes but potent symbols activating deep-seated cultural memories. The tension between spiritual and earthly power continues, a psychological drama played out on the stage of history, influencing our perceptions of leadership and authority. These symbols resurface, constantly evolving, echoing through time.