Begrafenisstoet van aartshertog Albrecht (plaat XLI), 1622 1623

This is plate 41 from a series of prints made by Cornelis Galle I in 1622, depicting the funeral procession of Archduke Albrecht of Austria. These etchings offer a valuable insight into the elaborate rituals and social hierarchies of the Habsburg court in Brussels. The image presents us with a section of the procession, including mourners representing various regions and noble houses, identified by their coats of arms. The inclusion of a caparisoned horse, riderless, was a symbolic honour for the deceased Archduke. Produced in the Southern Netherlands, a region still deeply entrenched in aristocratic traditions, the print served as a form of political theatre, reinforcing the power and legitimacy of the Habsburg rulers. These images would have circulated among the elite, reminding them of their place within the established order. Understanding this print requires a keen awareness of the social and political landscape of 17th-century Europe. The resources available here at the Rijksmuseum allow us to place the image within its original context, and to consider its role in shaping perceptions of power and authority.