Margaretha van Parma overhandigt de stadssleutels aan de Antwerpse magistraat in het stadhuis after 1863

Jean Baptiste Pierre Michiels created this print titled "Margaretha van Parma overhandigt de stadssleutels aan de Antwerpse magistraat in het stadhuis" sometime in the 19th century. Notice how the linear perspective, receding into the dark background, and the monochromatic palette create a somber tone, emphasizing the gravity of the exchange. Michiels uses hatching and cross-hatching to model form and shadow, lending a sense of weight to the figures and architecture. The composition is carefully arranged, drawing our eye to the central figures of Margaretha van Parma and the magistrate, who stand in a formal, almost theatrical pose. The architectural setting is more than just a backdrop; it functions as a structural element that reinforces the themes of power and authority. The keys themselves, though small, symbolize the transfer of control and are highlighted by the light falling upon them. Through the graphic structure, Michiels invites us to consider the power dynamics at play.