Ruiters en vaandeldragers, plaat C - Nicolaas Hogenberg

A detailed sixteenth-century etching by Nicolaas Hogenberg depicting a ceremonial procession of horsemen and standard-bearers during the entry of Charles V into Bologna.

This etching by Nicolaas Hogenberg depicts a formal procession of horsemen and standard-bearers. The work is part of a series documenting the ceremonial entry of Emperor Charles V into Bologna in 1530. Hogenberg, a Flemish artist active in the early sixteenth century, provides a detailed record of the military and aristocratic pageantry that defined the period. The composition is organised horizontally, reflecting the linear nature of a parade.

In the upper section, a cartouche contains French text detailing the lineage of Albert, Count of Habsburg, flanked by heraldic shields. Below this, the scene unfolds with figures mounted on horses and soldiers carrying large banners. The artist employs a precise etching technique to define the textures of the armour, the folds of the fabric, and the musculature of the horses. The figures are rendered with a focus on their period-specific attire, including plumed hats and doublets, which provides a clear view of the fashion and military equipment of the era.

The print is characterised by its clean lines and balanced arrangement of figures. The use of space allows for a clear distinction between the foreground participants and the background elements. As a historical document, the work captures the visual language of sixteenth-century statecraft and public display. The inclusion of Latin inscriptions at the base, such as 'MILITIA DVCES' and 'VEXILLA COMMVNIS BONONIENSIS', identifies the subjects as military leaders and standard-bearers of Bologna. This print offers a glimpse into the formalised visual culture of the Holy Roman Empire, documenting the intersection of political authority and public spectacle through the medium of printmaking.