A magnifique funeral procession in honour of Charles V, printed on a roll. This album is Plantin's first big work. He establishes his reputation as a publisher, even though he only prints the short text. The 12 meter long procession reads like a cartoon.
The death of Charles V
Charles V dies in Spain on 21 September 1558 at the age of 58. At that moment his son Philip resides in the Netherlands. To honour is father he organizes a magnificent funeral procession along the streets of Brussels on 29 and 30 September 1558.
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1559) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
A colored frieze of almost twelve meters long shows the funeral chapel, followed by musicians and a procession of dignitaries.
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1559) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
A ship with allegorical figures of Hope, Faith and Charity accompanies the procession.
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1560) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
With this print everyone - including at home - could experience the funeral procession of Charles V.
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1561) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
The work was sold as a roll or as a book, in the five languages of Charles V’s empire: Dutch, French, German, Spanish and Italian.
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1562) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519, King of Spain (Castile and Aragon) from 1516, and Lord of the Netherlands as titular Duke of Burgundy from 1506.
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1563) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
Charles's full titulature has no less than 38 titles. So one can imagine that many delegates joined the procession.
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1564) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1565) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1566) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1567) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
Page from 'Le Pompe Funebre' of Charles V (1568) by C. Plantin & H. CockMuseum Plantin-Moretus
La magnifique, et sumptueuse pompe funebre faite aus obseques, et funerailles du tresgrand, et tresvictorieus empereur Charles cinquieme, printed by the Officina Plantiniana.
Have a look at the entire print
