The Voyage of the White King Against the Turks, from Der Weisskunig 1514 - 1516

Hans Burgkmair created this woodcut, "The Voyage of the White King Against the Turks," as part of the "Der Weisskunig" project. Commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I, this series aimed to immortalize his life and reign through the then-modern medium of print. Made in Augsburg, Germany, in the early 16th century, the image speaks to the cultural anxieties surrounding the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe. Visual codes, such as the flags bearing crosses, emphasize the Christian identity of the "White King," while the depiction of Turkish forces highlights the perceived threat to European Christendom. Understanding this print requires delving into the historical context of the Habsburg dynasty's political ambitions, and the dynamics of early print culture. Only through this kind of inquiry can we appreciate the complex interplay between art, power, and propaganda in early modern Europe.