Theuerdank: Renaissance Illustrated Epic of Emperor Maximilian I
A Taschen reprint of the 1517 illustrated epic poem 'Theuerdank' brings back to light a masterpiece of early printing, commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) to glorify his own youthful adventures. The allegorical poem, written by imperial chaplain Melchior Pfintzing under Maximilian's close supervision, follows knight Theuerdank (representing Maximilian) through trials set by three treacherous vassals, culminating in marriage to princess Erenreich (Mary of Burgundy) and a crusade against the Turks. The book is renowned for its 118 hand-colored woodcuts, created by artists Leonhard Beck, Hans Schaüfelein, Hans Burgkmair, and others under the influence of Albrecht Dürer, with xylography by Jost de Negker. The first edition comprised 40 copies on vellum and 300 on paper, distributed to German princes. The reprint includes a scholarly essay by Stephan Füssel, chair of Gutenberg and director of the Institut für Buchwissenschaft at Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, and reproduces a rare colored copy from the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek in Munich. The work also gave its name to the Fraktur typeface, designed by Vinzenz Rockner for printer Hans Schönsperger the Elder.
Key facts
- Theuerdank is an allegorical poem commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.
- The poem narrates the knight Theuerdank's trials to win princess Erenreich.
- Maximilian I personally supervised the work, with text by Melchior Pfintzing.
- The first edition was published in 1517 with 40 vellum and 300 paper copies.
- The book features 118 woodcuts by Leonhard Beck, Hans Schaüfelein, Hans Burgkmair, and others.
- Xylographer Jost de Negker was paid four florins per block, more than the designers.
- The reprint by Taschen (2018) includes a facsimile of a hand-colored copy from the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.
- The Fraktur typeface originated from the type designed for Theuerdank by Vinzenz Rockner.
Entities
Artists
- Maximilian I
- Melchior Pfintzing
- Albrecht Dürer
- Leonhard Beck
- Hans Schaüfelein
- Hans Burgkmair
- Jost de Negker
- Vinzenz Rockner
- Hans Schönsperger the Elder
- Stephan Füssel
- Ferruccio Giromini
- Pieter Paul Rubens
Institutions
- Taschen
- Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
- Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz
- Institut für Buchwissenschaft
- Artribune
Locations
- Colonia
- Monaco
- Magonza
- Anversa
- Augusta
- Genova
- Venezia
- Germania
- Europa centrale
- Sacrum Romanum Imperium