Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat LVIII), 1622

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving in 1622, as part of a series documenting the funeral procession of Archduke Albrecht. The print meticulously depicts members of the Archduke’s Privy Council and secretaries, highlighting the rigid social hierarchies of the time. Made in the Spanish Netherlands, this work reflects the cultural and political landscape of a region under Habsburg rule. The attire and posture of the figures, the presence of particular people in the procession, each aspect reinforces a sense of order and tradition. The institution of the court is glorified, with each member assigned a specific role. Understanding this print requires looking into archival sources to understand the structure of the court. Who were these people? What role did they play in the Habsburg administration? What does the procession represent? This work reminds us that art is always embedded in a specific social and institutional context.