The Emperor Maximilian Presented to Christ by His Patron Saints

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This memorial woodcut celebrates the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian’s passage into eternal life. He appears kneeling in front of Christ, hoping his resplendent throng of Habsburg family saints will help him enter heaven. The Virgin and Child are present, as are Saints Andrew, Barbara, George, Leopold, Maximilian, and Sebastian, each bearing their attributes. The Latin text below the woodcut lists the emperor’s many titles and territories and his date of death, followed by laudatory verses. Despite its popular broadsheet format, this print was likely distributed to members of the imperial court and other nobles rather than being sold or posted.

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