An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Equestrian Portrait of the Emperor Maximilian1508
Hans Burgkmair
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.
Known as "the last knight," Maximilian was an enthusiast of tournaments and hunting; here he wears the type of fluted armor that later would be named for him.
woodcut, in black and white on paper washed blue
Sheet: 32.3 x 22.7 cm (12 11/16 x 8 15/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In a time long past, when the world was woven tightly with threads of power and grandeur, there stood a regal figure—the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. His reign, spanning from 1486 to 1519, was a testament to ambition and the echoes of ancient glory. Maximilian was not merely a ruler; he embodied the very essence of authority itself.
Picture this in your mind: A noble man, presented in a proud and stately pose, coupled with a majestic mount that echoes the splendor of classical equestrian statues. The scene captures a moment frozen in time, filled with nobility and depth. Above him, in flowing Latin script, the words declare, “August Emperor Caesar Maximilian,” a title that connects him to the great leaders of the Roman Empire, those who once held sway over a vast realm.
The backdrop tells a story too. A billowing banner, emblazoned with a two-headed eagle, flutters in the air, representing the Hapsburg dynasty to which he belonged. This image, powerful in its symbolism, signifies not just lineage but a legacy that reached far and wide across the continent.
What’s truly extraordinary about this artwork is its age and technique. Crafted as a chiaroscuro woodcut, it showcases a delicate dance between black and white inks on a paper meticulously prepared with tinted wash. It’s as if the artist played with shadows and light, giving the figures a pulse, a heartbeat of their own. This piece stands out among its contemporaries, a pioneering endeavor in artistic innovation.
Among the few surviving impressions of this remarkable creation, only two are printed on hand-colored paper. And out of these, one solitary piece boasts a hue of serene blue, a color that brings forth a sense of calmness amidst the grandeur of history.
In this artwork, the past whispers tales of valor and achievement, echoing through the ages. It captures not just a moment or an individual, but the essence of an era when artistry met ambition, and stories surged forth, uniting us all in the timeless journey of humanity.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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