Christian I meets Prince Maximilian at Rothenburg ob der Tauber in 1474 1639

Crispijn de Passe II created this drawing, "Christian I meets Prince Maximilian at Rothenburg ob der Tauber in 1474," sometime in the 17th century. De Passe made this work during a period of significant political and religious upheaval in Europe, a time when power was often negotiated and displayed through elaborate ceremonies. This drawing illustrates such a moment, depicting a meeting between two powerful men, likely intended to solidify alliances and project strength. Notice how the artist captures the performative aspects of power. The embrace between Christian and Maximilian, surrounded by their retinues, is less an intimate gesture than a carefully staged display. The artist’s intricate details in the clothing and the attentive expressions of the onlookers emphasize the importance of this encounter. De Passe’s work invites us to consider the role of such displays in shaping historical narratives and power dynamics. How might the subjects involved, and the artist himself, have understood this carefully constructed image of unity and authority?