Emperor Maximilian I: Theuerdank

Emperor Maximilian I: Theuerdank

One of the most important works of the German Renaissance was printed in the year 1517 in Nuremberg: an epic poem by Emperor Maximilian I himself! Therein the Kaiser addresses his journey to meet his new bride, Mary of Burgundy, which is embedded in an environment which is typical for that time – full of adventure and chivalrous virtues. The most important artists of the time, including Hans Burgkmair, Hans Schäufelein, and Leonhard Beck, contributed to the magnificent illustrations in the form of 118 woodcuts. The Augsburg printer Hans Schönesperger, Maximilian’s imperial book printer, produced the work with a specially designed typeface. In light of this abundance of quality, the fact that the specimen housed in the Württembergischen Landesbibliothek in Stuttgart is Hans Burgkmair’s personal copy seems a mere side note.

The Emperor as Author

In the year 1477, Maximilian I, who would eventually become Holy Roman Emperor, married Mary of Burgundy, the daughter of Charles the Bold. 40 years later, this marriage served as the template for one of the most important pieces of 16th century literature: the epic chivalric poem concerning the adventures of the knight named Theuerdank. The author of this work is Emperor Maximilian I himself – or at the least the overwhelming majority comes from him. Maximilian I (1459–1519) is considered to be the most important ruler of his time, received a humanist education, and was a lover and generous patron of the arts.

The Adventurous Journey to his Bride

In the adventures of the knight Theuerdank, the journey by Maximilian I to meet his first bride, Mary of Burgundy, is described. Serving as the protagonists are the knight Theuerdank – Maximilian himself – and the lady Ernreich – Mary of Burgundy. During his trip to meet his beloved lady, Ernreich, the knight Theuerdank experienced numerous adventures, which he heroically overcomes with chivalric virtues and divine help. Themes typical for the time, such as hunting and tournaments, make up the background of the plot.

The Woodcut Illustrations

This piece of (literary) history is stored in a precious book in Stuttgart’s Württembergischen Landesbibliothek: the personal copy of Hans Burgkmair. Hans Burgkmair was one of the numerous artists who were commissioned to illustrate the imperial epic poem. The most significant artists of their time – alongside Burgkmair, Hans Schäufelein and Leonhard Beckknown were known as the Three Primary Masters – completed 118 woodcuts altogether, which accompany the text.

An Imperial Print Order

The Adventures of the Knight Theurdank were finally printed in Nuremberg in 1517. Hans Schönsperger was responsible for the printing thereof. Schönsperger, who was actually active in Augsburg already, and who Maxmilian named imperial printer in 1508, specifically moved his printing shop to Nuremberg for this publication. The German text of the imperial work was laid out in a specifically designed typeface on a total of 589 pages. Thus arose one of the most important works of German Renaissance art, offering a glimpse into the glimmering time period of the German Renaissance and its chief agents, the great Kaiser Maximilian I above all!