The Remarkable Story of The Survival and Publication of “Der Weiss Kunig” (”the White King”) (1775)

Der Weiss was written by Marx Kunig Treitzsaurwein (Imperial Secretary) and the issuance of the following suggestions provided directly by the Emperor Maximilian I. The allegorical style of the emperor as the white king rose from a variety of sources, including the clear correlations between symbolic “white” and “wisdom” and the traditional white Emperor Maximilian I take leads in tournaments and battles. Other governments are also represented allegorically by Weiss Der Kunig, including the King of France (The Blue King), the Duke of Milan (The King of the worm – a reference from the arms Milanese coat), and the king of Hungary (King Verde).

The allegory is told in three parts: The first relates to the former Habsburg rulers, and the second with the birth and early life of Maximilian (through his marriage to Maria von Burgundy), and the third with the government of Emperor Maximilian I. During the first two elements, Treitzsaurwein was based on a variety of historical sources, but the third, relying on direct feedback from the emperor. The third part of Der Weiss Kunig therefore has value as a source document of the time.

The planks used in Der Weiss Kunig were carved in the first two decades of the 16th century but not published before the death of the emperor. In 1665, the manuscript was rediscovered in the Schloss Ambras and a century later, the prints were discovered in Graz Kurzbock famous publication of the texts and woodcuts followed in 1775 – after more than 200 years of all the work was believed lost .

As noted by Bartsch, at least 99 of the plates shown in the edition of 1775 can be attributed to Hans Burgkmair (1473-1531), two more than Leonard Beck (1480-1542) and a Hans Schauffelein (from 1480 until 1540) and Hans Springinklee (1490-1540). Despite the intention of propaganda and the romantic image in Der Weiss Kunig, the illustrations provide a valuable and interesting information on the life of the court the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance and clothing, household items, the weaponry and architecture of the time.

The following translation of the Introduction to Bartsch, 1775 edition of Der Weiss Kunig wonderful information provides an overview of the remarkable story of the production, survival and the publication of this seminal work of scholars and artists linked to the court of Emperor Maximilian I.

Translation of the introduction of Kunig Bartsch Der Weiss (1775)

Although it may seem that the relationship between pictures and text within this work are clear, these links have been distorted during the time both were sent to the dark and mysterious memory of them is lost in the World Cup. Now gather – and contemporary images of Maximilian heroic tales show that he was unique in its ability to rise above the challenges of their time and lay the foundation of society for future generations. Her character differs so significantly from other great emperors and monarchs – in his life and his reign was one continuous large companies – which is well justified to take such a memorable story to the masses.

What patriot would not dare to drive a permanent reminder of the Emperor loved and worker? In youth Maximilian Habsburg had little knowledge of Germany. The time came, however, when the enemy penetrated into the heart of the Empire and the calls were the first German settlers to provide greater support to the throne of Austria and expand the scope of its military influence in triumph. With the return of force that followed, the formerly hostile yoked were released and the Emperor created the largest kingdom of Austria – including the Danube, Rhine, Po river Tagus. In such circumstances, what obstacles could stand in the way of development of the mythical story of the founder of the Habsburg throne?

To date, repeated efforts towards this work have been made only to comply with a final unsuccessful. Similarly, the true story of the time remains unknown, even among scholars. Despite this, if the facts alleged seem to matter enough to provide a basis, then history can be rewritten and therefore have an effect on everything that is outlined above. As a document of the era, this book just that claim to make a valid contribution to our historical knowledge.

Arguably, it is known that the author of this work was based mainly on the emperor of the details, since it was only his spirit, he knew the terrible sound of war and industry of his government. Maximilian did not break, but would dedicate himself to science, was creative with his hands, led with his staff, wrote in secret with the Council of Ministers to carry out work within the kingdom, made up war stories and improve their understanding and conduct of the war to the point where peace was his army. These efforts are detailed in the history of the white king for 1512, with more stories of the following events in the following years.

In 1514, the work was intended to be complete and the Imperial Secretary, Marx Treitzsauerwein, was ordered by the emperor to the text in order. That instruction applies to both the manuscript and illustrations for. It was at that moment it became clear that a certain disorder and indistinct quality was present in the text because of the way in which it was written. These difficulties require more effort to finalize the composition of the book. Several discussions and reformulations were carried out – based on incorrect assumptions and interpretations, but the emperor remained distracted by important issues and the increasing age and could not return to the task of liquidating or publication of this work before his death.

It is understandable that at the time that has elapsed since the reign of Emperor Maximilian, there may be some difficulty in the correct interpretation of his work incomplete or unpublished. To choose to leave this task, however, would do a disservice inconceivable to our ancestors who worked to make these stories so that everyone can enjoy them throughout the centuries.

In the 17th century as an effort arose from the substantial amount of work produced by eminent philologist Austrian Strein Reichard (Baron Schwarzenau). Among his roles was crazy communes that he had prepared for a book on the white king.

While the work remained unpublished Strein before his death, interest remained in the preparation of a great work on the white king. These notes Strein left among his papers are believed to have come into the possession of Father Georg Christoph von Schallenberg a man of letters grateful friends Strein responsible for their work.

Schallenberg had the good fortune in 1631 to discover a collection of more illustrations designed to accompany the story of the White King during a stay in Vienna. This collection consisted in part of paintings, prints, plus original designs. He also found some pieces of hand of the emperor from the papers. One could argue that the collection was so large that, even if it were not for the text of the White King, the notes may have been used to reconstruct the illustrated history of artwork Burgkmair and his contemporaries. Through the toil of this material, prepared notes significant progress towards building a history of the white king, but even when added to previous work Strein, Schallenberg considers the imperfect material.

Schallenberg intended to prepare a complete catalog of the works of Maximilian, but this target was not met at the time of his death. With research and collection work to be performed, his son stayed with his title and the opportunity to continue the publication history of the white king, but it seemed as if this great goal had died with Schallenberg.

One can not say if, after the death Schallenberg, another scholar had a similar passion for the white king, but the work was not entirely unknown to the literature – with a few comments are being made in academic reviews and biographies. In the meantime, however, the manuscript remained Treitzsaurwein with others in the Imperial Library.

It was nothing short of a miracle when the wooden blocks to the white king were discovered in Gratz (in the Duchy of Steyr). A place within the large collection of a connoisseur, who were at risk of harm – that had occurred in some cases – and the announcement was made that would be taken to the Imperial Library. Now, the conditions were satisfied by the completion and publication of this book Imperial important.

That the text of this story must have extensive notes attached is of significant importance to the historical value of the work. With this feature, we now learn of the historical events that were secret unknown to contemporary writers. Finally, there is enough knowledge to write the historical certainty of the life and achievements of Maximilian.

For the 237 illustrations published in Der Kunig Weiss (1775), Der Weiss Kunig visit – online viewing of the artwork held by the “Spirit of the Age ‘Museum.

Douglas is one of a number of contributors to the ‘Spirit of the Age “project Museum – a collection of art and antiques. The online presentation for the Museum show focuses on works of art from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well Illustrations by artists associated with what has been called the Golden Age of Enlightenment at the moment. Several learning resources and research are incorporated into the collection and future developments will include art and artifacts documenting additional. Sales Posters line of Fine Arts, reproductions and greeting cards, chips and provide significant financial support for the project.