This engraving of Neptune and Amphitrite's Triumphal Chariot, created for the 1599 joyous entry of Archdukes Albert and Isabella into Antwerp, exemplifies how classical mythology served essential political functions in early modern European court culture. Designed by Joos de Momper and engraved by Pieter van der Borcht in 1602, this copper engraving represents the sophisticated integration of mythological references into public ceremonial designed to legitimise political authority.

The "joyous entry" tradition itself functioned as a ritual performance that established mutual obligations between rulers and cities. By incorporating classical deities into these ceremonies, organisers created symbolic frameworks that positioned contemporary rulers within established patterns of legitimate authority. Neptune, as god of the sea, held particular significance for maritime powers like the Spanish Netherlands, creating resonance between mythological references and practical concerns of trade and naval power.

The translation of ephemeral ceremonial elements into permanent engraved form represents an important aspect of how such mythological performances extended their influence beyond immediate participants. Connected to Joannes Bochius' historical narrative of the event, this engraving transformed temporary spectacle into lasting documentation, allowing the symbolic frameworks established during the ceremony to circulate more widely and persist over time.

This artifact demonstrates how classical mythology provided Renaissance and Baroque societies with sophisticated visual language for articulating political relationships and aspirations. By invoking Neptune and Amphitrite in ceremonial contexts, organisers drew on established symbolic associations while adapting them to address contemporary political circumstances. The Museum Plantin-Moretus' preservation of this engraving reflects ongoing cultural interest in understanding how mythological frameworks shaped political culture during this formative period of European state development.