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Equestrian Portrait of the Emperor Maximilian
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Presented in full profile, the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (reigned 1486–1519) and his mount emulate a classical equestrian portrait statue. The Latin abbreviations inscribed at the top of the page describe him as “August Emperor Caesar Maximilian,” a title conceptually equating him with the leaders of the ancient Roman Empire. The two-headed eagle on the banner is the emblem of his dynastic family, the Hapsburgs. This exceptionally rare chiaroscuro woodcut— printed with black and white inks on paper prepared with tinted wash—represents one of the earliest experiments with this technique. Of the two surviving impressions printed on hand-colored paper, this is the only one that is blue.
| Artist / Maker | Hans Burgkmair |
|---|---|
| Date | 1508 |
| Culture / Origin | Germany |
| Medium | woodcut, in black and white on paper washed blue |
| Dimensions | Sheet: 32.3 x 22.7 cm (12 11/16 x 8 15/16 in.) |
| Department | Prints |
| Type |
About the Artist
Hans Burgkmair (German, 1473–1531) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
Fine-art shipping with climate control and full insurance to over 120 countries; collection by appointment.
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