- Museum number
- 1837,0616.308
- Description
-
The Blue King tempting the subjects of the young White King to disloyalty; the king seated at centre, five councillors seated at left, three at r. Early proof for an illustration to 'Der Weisskunig'. c.1516
Woodcut
- Production date
- 1516 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 221 millimetres
-
Width: 199 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- See G. Bartrum, 'German Renaissance Prints', exh. cat., BM, London 1995, no.155. Corresponds to plate 123 of the 1775 edition. On the Weisskunig project in general see Curatorial Comment for Y,8.164. Schäufelein only contributed two designs to the Weisskunig.
Text from Bartrum 1995
Literature: Bartsch, 80; C. Dodgson, II, p.33, 86; Schreyl, 844.
Schäufelein made two designs for the Emperor Maximilian's idealised autobiography, 'Der Weisskunig', the majority of which was dictated by the Emperor to his secretary, Marx Treitzsaurwein; most of the 236 woodcuts were designed by Leonhard Beck and Hans Burgkmair (see 1837,0616.266 and 1849,1031.247). This is one of ninety proof impressions in the British Museum. The block for it is signed on the back with Schäufelein's monogram (Vienna, Albertina); it is not known precisely who cut it, although Jost de Negker was overall supervisor of the cutters for the series. The design has been skilfully interpreted and printed and displays Schäufelein's mature style at its best. The subject is taken from the third section of the narrative which relates the political history of Maximilian. It represents the Blue King (the King of France) plotting dissent among the subjects of the young White King (Maximilian) during the course of war between the two in the 1480s (see H.T.Musper, 'Kaiser Maximilians I. Weisskunig', 2 vols, Stuttgart, 1956, 78).
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
1995 Jun-Oct, BM, 'German Renaissance Prints, 1490-1550', no.155
1996 Jun-Aug, Canterbury, Royal Mus and AG, German Renaissance Prints
1996 Nov-Dec, Edinburgh, NG of Scotland, German Renaissance Prints
1997 Jan-Mar, Cardiff, Nat Mus of Wales, German Renaissance Prints
1997 Apr-May, Llandudno, Oriel Mostyn Gallery, German Renaissance Prints
1997 Oct-Dec, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre, German Renaissance Prints
- Associated titles
Associated Title: Der Weisskunig
- Acquisition date
- 1837
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 1837,0616.308
