Die Abenteuer des Ritters Theuerdank
Woodcut
ca. 1517 (printed)
ca. 1517 (printed)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Cutting from book, woodcut depicting various adventures encountered by the knight Theuerdank on his journey to woo his betrothed.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Die Abenteuer des Ritters Theuerdank (series title) |
Materials and techniques | Woodcut on paper |
Brief description | Woodcut by Leonard Beck. Theuerdank's escape from an avalanche. Illustration, plate 66, to Theuerdank by Melchior Pfinzing, a disguised autobiography of the Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519). First printed by Hans Schonsperger the Elder, Nuremberg, 1517. |
Physical description | Cutting from book, woodcut depicting various adventures encountered by the knight Theuerdank on his journey to woo his betrothed. |
Dimensions |
|
Styles | |
Credit line | Presented by Art Fund |
Object history | Commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I as one of three works supposedly chronicling his life (Freydal and Weisskönig being the other two). This one was the only one to be published in the Emperor's lifetime. It is a fictional story set to an allegorical poem of the adventures of a knight whilst on a journey to meet his betrothed 'Ehrenreich'. During the journey, he encounters his three enemies Furwittig, Unfalo, and Neidelharta. The tale is a fictional version of the Emperor's own journey to meet his betrothed Maria von Burgundy (the daughter of Charles the Bold). 'Theuerdank' means 'Knight of Adventurous Thoughts'. The book was printed in Augsburg in 1517 in an edition of 40 on parchment and 300 on paper by Hans Schonsperger. It was only distributed after Maximilian's death in 1519. The 118 illustrations were contributed by at least three artists, Hans Burgkmair, Leonhard Beck and Hans Schäuffelein. The designs were cut by Jost de Negker's large team of block-cutters. |
Bibliographic references |
|
Collection | |
Accession number | E.292-1951 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 30, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON