Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XXII), 1622 1623

This is "Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht," an engraving made in 1622 by Cornelis Galle I. It depicts the funeral procession of Archduke Albert, dominated by the solemn figures of chamberlains, guards of the dames, and guards of the joys. Observe their cloaks and collars, symbols of status and mourning. This uniform, worn by figures of authority, has roots that reach far back through history, and remind me of similar symbols in other works of art. These outfits bear a resemblance to ceremonial robes worn by figures in classical antiquity. The repetition of figures, draped in similar garb, conveys a powerful sense of collective grief. It resonates deeply with the primal human experience of loss, tapping into a shared subconscious understanding of death and mourning. These symbols echo across centuries, reappearing in various forms and contexts. These visual motifs evolve, adapt, and are continually reinterpreted through the lens of successive generations.