Hans Burgkmair: Entrance of the White King in Utrecht (1514-1516)

(Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Netherlands)

A woodcut made by the German artist Hans Burgkmair ( 1473 -1531). This piece is a part of a book called "Der Weisskunig" or The White King. The book is a chivalric novel and a romanticized biography of the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I, (1486–1519). Maximilian is presented in the book as as the “young” White King, and his father, the “old” White King, Frederick III,. Other contemporary rulers are also in the book: the Blue King (the King of France), the Green King (the King of Hungary) and the King of Fish (representing Venice).[ Maximilian is depicted as a virtuous ruler favoured by God. In this print the white king is shown with a large entourage of mounted knights and infantry. The city council of the town of Utrecht (a Dutch city) is waiting for the white king to welcome him. Woodcut of 1514-1516.