Deel van de optocht, nr. 6 1559 - 1619

This engraving was created by Joannes van Doetechum, likely in the late 16th century. The monochromatic lines carve out a tableau that pulses with the spectacle of a parade. The figures stand rigidly, yet their elaborate costumes and the ornate horse they accompany suggest a moment of theatrical display. The composition pivots around the banner held aloft. Its details are meticulously etched, presenting symbols and scenes that invite us to decode their significance. The choice of monochrome simplifies the scene into stark contrasts of light and shadow. It reduces visual noise, allowing us to dissect the artwork's semiotic density. This technique allows for the lines and forms to dictate our gaze. This is not just a record of an event, but a study in representation, where power and status are performed through symbolic display. Van Doetechum pushes us to question how meaning is constructed and communicated through visual signs.