Theuerdank (1517)

The Adventures of the honourable, valorous

and far-famed knight, Sir Theuerdank

 

 

  

On the left, we show the effective

Title Page to the 1517 coloured Edition

of Theuerdank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the right, we show the introduction

to the tale by Melchior Pfintzing.

 

 

Theuerdank - the longer variant of the title is Die geuerlicheiten un einsteils der geschichten des loblichen streytparen und

hochberümbten helds und Ritters heer Tewrdannckhs (literally translated as The Adventures of the honourable, valorous and

far-famed knight, Sir Theuerdank) - was one of three works commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I intended to chronicle

his life. The other works were Der Weisskunig and Freydal. Of the three titles, Theuerdank was the only tale to be

completed and published prior to his death.

 

Tradition suggests that the text to Theuerdank was written by

one of the Emperor's close friends - Melchior Pfintzing.

However, it is likely that much, if not all, the text was supplied by the Emperor himself. The tale tells a fictional version of the journey taken by the Emperor to meet his betrothed, Maria von Burgund (the daughter of the Emperor's knightly hero, Charles the Bold of Burgundy).

 

 

On the left, we show an antique

painting of Maximilian I.

 

 To the right, we show an antique

painting of Maria von Burgund.

 

Cross (1835) provides an interesting introduction to the work:

 

When Theuerdank first appeared, the known taste of the Emperor

gave rise to the supposition that he was the author of the work.

This question has been long debated. The authority of Cuspinian,

who ascribes it to him, has been considered of great weight; and

in the Imperial library there is a rough draft of the first seventy-four

chapters in Maximilian's handwriting; in the margin of which he

has given careful instructions for the composition of the engravings

which ornament the printed copies. This manuscript, however,

differs materially from the printed text; and the most probably

opinion is, that the Emperor sketched out the plan of the poem,

but that it owes its present shape to Melchoir Pfintzing, then

Provost of St Sebold's church in Nuremberg. In the course of time,

the well-known bibliographer Panzer succeeded to the Parsonage

of St Sebold's, and became the inhabitant of the Deanery which

Pfintzing had "rebuilt at his own expense". The worthy historian of

printing adds, that he often "looked up with pleasure at the

inscription on the little stone tablet over the library door" which

recorded Pfintzing's liberality. We can enter into his feelings; for

the early editions are certainly amongst the finest specimens of

printing which the art has ever produced ... The poem acquired

just celebrity ... It contains an allegorical biography of its reputed

author. In the character of ... Theuerdank, he is represented

as wooing the Princess Ehrenriech, daughter of King Romreich,

under which names we recognise Mary of Burgundy, and

Charles the Bold, her father. Theuerdank is led into manifold perils

by the treacherous advice of the three Ministers of Romreich's

Kingdom, "Fuvitting" (Presumption), "Unfalo" (Calamity) and

"Neidelhait" (Envy). And it is a joyful event to arrive at the

conclusion of the poem, when the whole Cabinet is thus disposed

of - one is hanged, another beheaded and the third has his neck

broken by being thrown from the top of a high wall.

 

  

The 118 large illustrations to Theuerdank were a collaboration between at least a variety of artists, including

Hans Burgkmair (13), Leonard Beck (77), Hans Schäuffelein (20), Erhard Schön (3), Wolfgang Traut (2), the

Master NH (1), Hans Weiditz (1 possibly) and Jörg Breu I (1).

 

The images shown on this page are sourced from a rare coloured variant printed in 1517.

 

 

Our Greeting Cards and Reproduction Prints

 

 

For connoisseurs, we have prepared sets of 118 Greeting Cards displaying each of the images shown on the illustrated plates throughout Theuerdank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code: T CS(118)
Price: US$590.00

 

When presented on Greeting Cards, these images are prepared as tipped-on plates - in hommage to the hand-crafted

approach typical of prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century. Each card is

hand-finished and the images are presented on Ivory card stock with an accompanying envelope. On the rear of each

card we also present some information about this great work and each individual illustration. We have left the interior

of the cards blank so that you may write your own personal message.

 

Similarly, we have provided options for the purchase of reproductions of these

wonderful images in a superb large format on 12 x 18" sheets and on the right,

we show an example of how these images can appear when framed.

 

Each of those reproductions is prepared with archival quality materials to ensure

many years of ongoing enjoyment.

 

To purchase, simply click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button and you will

be taken through to our Shopping Cart secured through PayPal. Multiple

purchases will be consolidated by that feature and shipping and handling costs

to any destination in the world are accommodated by our flat-rate fee of

US$20 for every US$200 worth of purchases.

 

We are able to reproduce these images in a variety of sizes and naturally, should

you wish to order a Reproduction Print in another format or individual

Greeting Cards from this suite of images, we welcome your contact through

ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.

 

In the meantime, however, enjoy perusing the plates from Theuerdank.

 

Every illustration tells a story

Above, we show a framed reproduction

of an illustration from Theuerdank.
 

 

The coloured plates for Theuerdank

 

 

Figure 1

 

 

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C1 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C2 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C3 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C4 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 
Figure 5 Figure 6

 

 

Figure 7

 		 Figure 8

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C5 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C6 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C7 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C8 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 
Figure 9

 

 

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C9 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C10 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C11 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C12 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 13

 

 

 Figure 14 Figure 15

 

 

Figure 16

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C13 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C14 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C15 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C16 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 
Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 19 Figure 20

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C17 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C18 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C19 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C20 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 21

 

 

 Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 24

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C21 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C22 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C23 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C24 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 25

 

 

Figure 26

Figure 27

Figure 28

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C25 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C26 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C27 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C28 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 29

 

 

Figure 30

Figure 31

Figure 32

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C29 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C30 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C31 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C32 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 33

 

 

Figure 34

Figure 35

Figure 36

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C33 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C34 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C35 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C36 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 37

 

 

Figure 38

Figure 39

Figure 40

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C37 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C38 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C39 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C40 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 41

Figure 42

Figure 43

Figure 44

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C41 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C42 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C43 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C44 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 45

 

 

Figure 46

Figure 47

Figure 48

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C45 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C46 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C47 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C48 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 49

 

 

Figure 50

Figure 51

Figure 52

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C49 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C50 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C51 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C52 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 53

 

 

Figure 54

Figure 55

Figure 56

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C53 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C54 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C55 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C56 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 57

 

 

Figure 58

Figure 59

Figure 60

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C57 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C58 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C59 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C60 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 61

 

 

Figure 62

Figure 63

Figure 64

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C61 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C62 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C63 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C64 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 
Figure 65 Figure 66

 

 

Figure 67

 		 Figure 68

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C65 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C66 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C67 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C68 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 
Figure 69

 

 

Figure 70

Figure 71

Figure 72

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C69 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C70 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C71 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C72 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 73

 

 

 Figure 74 Figure 75

 

 

Figure 76

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C73 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C74 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C75 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C76 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 
Figure 77 Figure 78 Figure 79 Figure 80

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C77 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C78 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C79 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C80 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 81

 

 

 Figure 82 Figure 83 Figure 84

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C81 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C82 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C83 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C84 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 85

 

 

Figure 86

Figure 87

Figure 88

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C85 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C86 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C87 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C88 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 89

 

 

Figure 90

Figure 91

Figure 92

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C89 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C90 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C91 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C92 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 93

 

 

Figure 94

Figure 95

Figure 96

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C93 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C94 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C95 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C96 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 97

 

 

Figure 98

Figure 99

Figure 100

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C97 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C98 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C99 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C100 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 101

Figure 102

Figure 103

Figure 104

 

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C101 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C102 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C103 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C104 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 105

 

 

Figure 106

Figure 107

Figure 108

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C105 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C106 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C107 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C108 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 109

 

 

Figure 110

Figure 111

Figure 112

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C109 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C110 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C111 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C112 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Figure 113

 

 

Figure 114

Figure 115

Figure 116

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C113 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C114 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C115 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C116 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 
   

Figure 117

 

 

Figure 118

    

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C117 12x18
Price: US$60.00

 

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

Code: BBS T C118 12x18
Price: US$60.00