Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat LI), 1622

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving, "Funeral Procession of Archduke Albrecht," in 1622. Here, the horse draped in mourning cloth strikes a somber note, its heavy presence embodying loss and transition. The horse, adorned with heraldic symbols, is not merely an animal, but a vessel of power, echoing traditions from ancient Roman triumphs to medieval equestrian statues. Note how, in the Renaissance, the equestrian figure became a symbol of leadership and control, an idea that evolved from the classical world. This ceremonial use of horses can also be seen in ancient depictions of funeral processions, where animals were sacrificed or paraded to honor the deceased. The image touches on the deep human need to commemorate and make sense of death, weaving together threads of personal grief and collective memory. The power of symbols lies in their ability to connect us to the past, triggering emotional responses that transcend time.