Plate 16: Valets marching in the funeral procession of Archduke Albert of Austria; from 'Pompa Funebris ... Alberti Pii'

Art Historical Context

**Plate 16: Valets Marching in the Funeral Process of Archduke Albert Austria** This intricate etching captures a poignant moment from the grand funeral procession of Archduke Albert VII Austria (1559–1), the Habsburg co-ruler of the Spanish Netherlands, who died in Brussels in 1621. Plate 16 from Jacques Francquart's *Pom Funebris... Alberti Pii* (Funeral Pomp of the Pious Albert), published in 1623, the valets—loyal household servants—marching solemnly in the elaborate cortege. Such processions were lavish public spectacles in the Baroque era, blending mourning with displays of power and piety to honor nobility and reinforce dynastic prestige. Designed by architect Jacques Francquart and masterfully engraved by Cornelis Galle I, this print exemplifies early 17th-century Flemish printmaking. Etching allowed for fine, expressive lines to convey the valets' disciplined formation and period attire, while subtle hand coloring adds vivid realism to their garments and banners. As part of a 22-plate series, it preserved the event's opulence for wide dissemination across Europe, serving as both historical record and artistic commemoration. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work highlights how prints democratized access to elite ceremonies, blending technical innovation with cultural reverence for Habsburg splendor. (198 words)

About the Artist

Jacques Francquart|Cornelis Galle I (French|French) · 1577 |1577 –1651 |1651

French, Brussels 1577–1651 Brussels|French, Brussels 1577–1651 Brussels