MASTERPIECE
Pieter Claeissens II’s composition bears great similarity to a print by the Wierix Brothers and Willem van Haecht. It is likely that Claeissens and Wierix and Haecht were influenced by a composition by Crispijn van den Broeck or Frans Floris, which unfortunately is now lost. Claeissens altered his image in order to communicate that this was a painting from Bruges. Thirteen men walk behind the triumphal chariot. These are all portraits. The man in red can be identified as Joris van Brakele, based on other portraits of him that have been preserved. He was mayor from 2 September 1576 to 2 September 1577 and, in that capacity, he signed the Union of Brussels on 9 Januari 1577. He probably also commissioned this painting for that occasion. The work can thus be accurately dated and must have been produced between 9 January and 2 September 1577.