Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XI), 1622 1623

This is an engraving made in 1622, by Cornelis Galle I, part of a series documenting the funeral procession of Archduke Albrecht. Note the solemn figures of the Benedictine prelates, each carrying a staff, a symbol of authority and guidance. The staff, or scepter, has ancient roots, appearing in royal and religious contexts across cultures. Think of the pharaohs of Egypt with their crooks and flails, emblems of power, or the shepherd's staff, a symbol of care. In each case, the staff is a conduit of authority, linking the holder to a higher power, a visual echo resonating across millennia. Consider how these symbols tap into our collective unconscious. These men, adorned in their vestments and bearing their staffs, evoke a sense of timeless tradition and authority. It's a visual language that stirs deep-seated emotions, connecting us to the past and reminding us of the enduring power of symbols.