Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XIII), 1622 1623

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving, *Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht*, in 1622. It depicts the funeral procession of Archduke Albert, governor of the Habsburg Netherlands. Galle, as an engraver in Antwerp, operated within a society deeply structured by religious and political hierarchies. The procession, with its elaborate display of ecclesiastical figures, was not just a ceremony but also a potent statement of power and legitimacy. The print disseminates this statement, playing a role in constructing the Archduke’s posthumous image and reinforcing the authority of the Catholic Church. Consider how the rigid formality of the procession and the solemnity of the occasion reflect the social norms of the time. Everyone has their place. The somber mood evokes a sense of reverence, but also, perhaps, hints at the ever-present weight of religious and political expectations. Prints like these serve as powerful reminders of how art can be intertwined with the construction and maintenance of social order. At the same time, it's a moment of individual grief and public performance, captured for posterity.