The greatest German book of the Renaissance, Theuerdank was commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I as a fictionalised, autobiographical story of the adventures of the knight Theuerdank (based on Maximilian I himself) on his journey to wed his betrothed, Lady Ehrenreich (Maximilian’s first wife Mary of Burgundy). Presented as an epic poem glorifying the emperor’s heroic valour and chivalric honour, the text was composed with the help of members of Maximilian’s court.
The book’s 118 woodblocks, widely considered to be among the greatest achievements in the history of book art, were designed by the best-known artists of the day, including Hans Burgkmair, Hans Leonhard Schäufelein, and Leonhard Beck.
This catalogue explores the five first-edition copies of the Theuerdank in the Bibermühle collections, including an illuminated, uncorrected copy, printed on vellum; as well as later editions.
To order the printed catalogue, please visit our website www.heribert-tenschert.com