Descriptio Publicae Gratulationis Spectaculorum et Ludorum, in Advent Sereniss. Principis Ernesti Archiducis Austriae ... (Entry of Ernest, Archduke of Austria, into Antwerp, July 18, 1594) 1595

This engraving by Peeter van der Borcht depicts the festivities in Antwerp for the entry of Archduke Ernest of Austria in 1594. It’s a fascinating record of how cities used public spectacles to project power and legitimacy. The image shows a temporary theater erected for the occasion. Notice the rows of allegorical figures, each representing virtues and territories under Habsburg rule. These aren't just decorations; they're a carefully constructed visual argument for the Archduke’s authority. Antwerp, at this time, was a major commercial center in the Spanish Netherlands, and its loyalty was crucial. The event itself and this print that commemorates it, served as a form of political propaganda, reinforcing social hierarchies and promoting allegiance to the ruling dynasty. To truly understand this image, we might consult accounts of the celebrations, records of the city's finances, and studies of Habsburg political iconography. The meaning of art is so often found in these details of social and institutional context.