Het lichaam van de koning van Ai wordt naar de stadspoort gebracht 1569

Philips Galle created this engraving, "Het lichaam van de koning van Ai wordt naar de stadspoort gebracht," sometime between 1537 and 1612. The composition is a dramatic depiction of destruction, with a focus on the stark contrasts of light and shadow created by the engraving technique. The eye is drawn to the fallen architecture and the figures carrying a body, elements that establish a narrative of devastation. The artist employs line and form to create a sense of chaos and ruin. Notice how the angular lines and broken shapes of the collapsing buildings contrast with the more fluid lines of the human figures. The use of perspective, though not entirely accurate, suggests depth and adds to the overwhelming sense of collapse. Consider how Galle uses the materiality of the print—the very marks of the engraving tool—to convey texture and weight. The rubble looks heavy, the sky ominous. This print destabilizes traditional notions of order and stability. Instead, it presents a world in disarray, questioning the permanence of power and the inevitability of change.