Zwitserse Garde in de lijkstoet van Anna van Hannover te Delft, 1759 1759 - 1761

Simon Fokke created this etching in 1759, capturing the procession for Anna van Hannover's funeral in Delft. Observe how Fokke uses a monochromatic palette to emphasize structure and form. The linear precision in the rendering of the Swiss Guard and the architectural facades creates a patterned rhythm across the composition. The buildings are depicted with a structural clarity which emphasizes their geometric forms and orderly arrangement. In contrast, the Swiss Guard are rendered as repeating clusters of lines and shapes. Here, we see formalism at play: the procession can be seen as a series of signs, each contributing to the overall narrative. Fokke utilizes the architectural backdrop to highlight the structural order of Dutch society, framing the solemn march within a context of established stability. The visual order suggests a desire to assert control and decorum in the face of mortality.