Vier kardinaalshoeden op stokken, plaat L - Nicolaas Hogenberg

An etching by Nicolaas Hogenberg depicting a ceremonial procession with cardinal hats, from his series on the coronation of Emperor Charles V.

This etching by Nicolaas Hogenberg, a Flemish artist active in the early sixteenth century, captures a segment of a ceremonial procession. The work is part of a larger series documenting the coronation of Emperor Charles V in Bologna in 1530. Hogenberg was known for his ability to record the pageantry of the imperial court with precision, providing a visual record of the figures, vestments, and heraldic symbols present at such events.

The composition features a group of mounted figures, their horses adorned with decorative trappings. Above them, four cardinal hats are held aloft on long staves, serving as markers of ecclesiastical rank. The upper portion of the print includes a cartouche containing French text, flanked by ornate scrollwork and heraldic shields. The Latin inscription at the bottom, 'QVATVOR PONTIFICIS CAPELLA', identifies the group as part of the papal chapel. The letter 'L' in the lower margin indicates its position within the original sequence of the series.

Hogenberg employs a clean, linear style characteristic of the period's printmaking. The figures are rendered with attention to the folds of their robes and the anatomy of the horses, while the decorative elements at the top demonstrate the influence of contemporary ornamental design. This print functions as both a historical document and an example of the graphic arts of the Northern Renaissance. It offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the sixteenth-century European court, where such processions were carefully choreographed displays of power and religious authority. The clarity of the etching allows for a close examination of the heraldic details and the specific attire of the participants, making it a valuable piece for those interested in the history of costume and ceremonial practice.