Plate 28: Drummers and trumpet players marching in the funeral procession of Archduke Albert of Austria; from 'Pompa Funebris ... Alberti Pii'

Art Historical Context

This etching, *Plate 28: Dr and trumpet players marching in funeral procession of Archdu Albert of Austria*, captures vibrant moment from one of the grandest spectacles of 17th Europe. Part of the opulent series *Pompaunebris ... Alberti Pii* (1623), it depicts musicians—drummers and trumpeters—striding solemnly through the streets of Brussels during the 1621 funeral rites for Archduke Albert VII, the Habsburg ruler of the Spanish Netherlands. These ceremonies were monumental displays of power, piety, and pageantry, blending Catholic ritual with imperial splendor to honor a key figure in Counter-Reformation politics. Designed by Flemish architect and engraver Jacques Francquart and masterfully etched by Cornelis Galle I, the print exemplifies the Baroque era's intricate line work and dramatic composition. The hand-applied coloring enhances the lively details of instruments, flowing banners, and marching figures, transforming a static medium into a dynamic scene. Measuring about 10 by 15 inches, it belongs to the "fête" genre of prints celebrating public events, allowing the elite pomp to reach wider audiences across Europe. As a preserved artifact at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this plate not only documents historical grandeur but also showcases printmaking's role in immortalizing fleeting rituals, offering visitors a window into the sonic and visual majesty of Habsburg mourning traditions.

About the Artist

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

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