Jezuïeten en Minderbroeders verlaten Antwerpen, 1578 c. 1581 - 1585

Frans Hogenberg's engraving, "Jezuïeten en Minderbroeders verlaten Antwerpen, 1578," captures a moment of forced exodus using ink on paper. The composition is structured by the strong diagonal of the receding procession, balanced by the static architecture on the left and the ship on the right. The artist uses the linear precision of engraving to detail the textures of clothing and the architecture, creating a visually rich surface despite the limited tonal range. Note how the use of line creates depth, drawing the eye from the foreground figures toward the distant city skyline. Hogenberg’s strategic arrangement of forms directs our interpretation, positioning the viewer as a witness to this historical event. This piece destabilizes traditional notions of religious authority, reflecting the shifting power dynamics of the time. The formal choices amplify the narrative's implicit commentary on displacement and change.