Maximiliaan overhandigt brief aan een man 1512 - 1516

Hans Burgkmair created this woodcut, ‘Maximiliaan overhandigt brief aan een man’, during the late 15th or early 16th century. The image depicts a scene of courtly life, with the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I handing a letter to a subject. Made in Germany, the print offers insight into the relationship between rulers and the ruled. The composition emphasizes Maximilian’s power, seated on a throne under a canopy. Yet, by presenting the act of communication, Burgkmair also hints at the emerging bureaucratic systems. The woodcut medium itself speaks to the changing role of art in society, as printed images became more widely accessible. As historians, we might consult primary documents such as letters and administrative records from the period to understand the dynamics of Maximilian’s court. Approaching such images with attention to their social context allows us to grasp their historical significance beyond their aesthetic qualities.