The Emperor Maximilian as a Romantic Hero: The 'Theuerdank'

The 'Theuerdank' is an epic poem that celebrates the exploits and heroic deeds of Emperor Maximilian I. In this propagandistic, allegorical work, he is represented as the Knight Theuerdank, who overcomes numerous perils to win Queen Ernreich, representing Mary of Burgundy, whom Maximilian married in 1477. The overall conception of the work is due to Maximilian himself, who also oversaw its every aspect, including typography and illustration, in order to create an image for both himself and his dynasty. This video features an extremely rare first edition of the 'Theuerdank' with 118 glorious woodcut illustrations, printed on vellum, all with fine contemporary hand-colouring, highlighted with gold and silver.

Also have a look at our video on the 'Wedding Hours', a Book of Hours that was made as a wedding gift for Bianca Maria Sforza upon her marriage to Maximilian I:    • The World of the Holy Roman Emperor, Maxim...  

Music Credits:

Early 16th Century Venetian Lute Music
Padoana bellissima for lute, Pavana alla Veneziana, Pavana alla Ferrarese
Lute: Paul O'Dette

Instrumental Music of the 16th century - Tanz und Nachtanz (Hess Brothers)
Performed by Capella de la Torre under direction of Katharina Bäuml (Shawms, Dulcians) and participation of William Dongois (Cornetto).
Album: Instrumentalmusik des 16. und 17. Jahrhunderts
Composers: Bartholomäus and Paul Hess, Breslau 1555
Instruments: Cornetts, Shawms, Sackbuts, Bass Dulcian, Percussion.

Image Credits:

Book of Hours, made as wedding gift of Ludovico Sforza to his niece, Bianca Maria Sforza, upon her marriage to Maximilian I.
Manuscript on vellum, illuminated by the Master of Anna Sforza (Nicoletto da Modena?). Italy, Milan, 1493.

Wolfgang von Maen, Das leiden Jesu Christi unnsers erlösers
Augsburg: Johann Schönsperger the Younger, 1515
First edition, printed on vellum

Albrecht Dürer, Portrait of Emperor Maximilian I, 1519
Oil on lime, 74 x 61.5 cm
Vienna, Kunst Historisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie, Inv. Nr. 825
Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain


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