Alva bezoekt de landvoogdes Margaretha van Parma, 1567 1871 - 1873

William Unger created this print called 'Alva bezoekt de landvoogdes Margaretha van Parma, 1567' sometime between 1837 and 1932. It depicts a historical meeting between the Duke of Alva, sent by the Spanish crown, and Margaret of Parma, then Governor of the Netherlands. This work offers a window into the complex dynamics of power and gender during a period of significant upheaval. Margaret of Parma, as a woman in a position of authority, navigated the intersection of gender expectations and political responsibility. The meeting between Alva and Margaret was a pivotal moment that reflects the tensions between local governance and imperial power. What does it mean for a woman to negotiate power amidst such masculine figures and in such a fraught political environment? The print captures not just a meeting of figures, but a clash of identities, interests and authority.