Plate 34: Men with heraldic flags and horses from Frise and the Hapsburg Empire marching in the funeral procession of Archduke Albert of Austria; from 'Pompa Funebris ... Alberti Pii' 1623

Cornelis Galle I created this print, Plate 34, which depicts men with heraldic flags and horses, a segment of the funeral procession for Archduke Albert of Austria. This detailed engraving provides a glimpse into the elaborate rituals surrounding death and power in the Habsburg Empire. Notice how the flags bearing the symbols of Frise and the Holy Roman Empire aren’t just markers of territory, but assertions of identity and authority. The horses, adorned with elaborate coverings, speak to the wealth and status of the deceased. The men, somber in their dark robes, represent the various ranks and regions paying tribute to the Archduke. Consider the emotional weight of such a procession—the public display of grief, the reinforcement of social hierarchies, and the performance of power. The identities of those involved, from the artist to the subjects of the procession, are all carefully constructed and presented within this historical moment. The print serves as a reminder of how personal emotions and political statements are intertwined, shaping both historical events and their artistic representations.