Vertrek van Karel V, 1555 1568 - 1572

Frans Hogenberg created "Departure of Charles V, 1555", an engraving now held in the Rijksmuseum. The dominant visual experience is one of detailed order, where numerous figures are meticulously arranged within a structured architectural space. The use of line, typical of engraving, creates texture and form, guiding the eye through the composition. The piece creates meaning through its formal arrangement. The rigid lines of the tiled floor and the tapestries contrast with the organic shapes of the figures, creating a tension that mirrors the historical moment. Semiotically, the composition reflects the power dynamics of the time, with Charles V positioned centrally, surrounded by subjects in a carefully structured hierarchy. This challenges fixed meanings of leadership, engaging with evolving ideas of governance. Notice how the linear perspective and detailed rendering function aesthetically and as a reflection of broader cultural and philosophical concerns. The act of engraving itself, with its precision and permanence, emphasizes the significance of the event depicted, inviting ongoing interpretation.