Stamboom van het Habsburgse Huis, 1291-1710 1710 - 1745

This intriguing print depicts the family tree of the House of Habsburg from 1291 to 1710, created by an anonymous artist. Its design presents a heraldic display, where the traditional genealogical chart is ingeniously structured as a tree, with branches bearing numerous family crests. The overall composition relies on symmetry, typical for genealogical depictions, but the use of the tree form introduces a layer of organic growth and natural order to the otherwise rigid structure of lineage. Each crest acts as a signifier, a visual component encoding complex histories and claims to power. The shields are meticulously arranged, suggesting a formal classification that aligns with structuralist principles of organizing information. The detailed rendering of the crests, each a microcosm of symbolic imagery, invites a semiotic reading of the print. While seemingly straightforward in its purpose, the tree complicates the idea of fixed meaning. The relationships between the crests, depicted through the branches, present a visual argument about succession, legitimacy, and historical narrative. This print encourages us to consider how structures, whether familial or artistic, shape our understanding of history and identity.