The White King: Tales of Maximilian I: A Coloring Book of Woodcuts by Hans Burgkmair

German Renaissance artist Hans Burgkmair the Elder (1473–1531) is primarily known for his works commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519). In the chivalric novel The White King (or Der Weiss König, as it was originally titled in German), Burgkmair produced more than two hundred woodcuts chronicling important moments in Maximilian’s life, from birth to old age. It was an immense task, completed between 1514 and 1516, and required the help of fellow German artists Leonhard Beck (c. 1480–1542), Hans Schäufelein (c. 1480–1540), and Hans Springinklee (c. 1490–c. 1540).

Marx Treitzsaurwein (1450–1527), the emperor’s secretary, wrote the story, though Maximilian dictated some of the text. Throughout the novel, the protagonist wasn’t directly identified as Maximilian; instead he was referred to as the White King and his father as the Old White King. The story stretched the truth about Maximilian’s life, a fault Treitzsaurwein should be forgiven, as it was probably best to put a positive spin on history when writing about the king. The book was not completed in Maximilian’s lifetime and wasn’t formally published until 1775.

Of the original woodcuts, a significant number depict epic battles and sieges, conquests and surrenders, or diplomatic meetings of kings and queens. Many of the scenes show the young Maximilian in tactical training: learning to fire a bow, handle a sword, or secure a battle camp. Reproduced here is a carefully selected set of twenty-five of these woodcuts, ordered chronologically as they appear in the 1775 publication. While you enjoy the images and add your own color to them, look for the engraved initials “H.B.” hidden on armor, artillery, blades, boats, furnishings, and facades—standing, of course, for the emperor’s artist, Hans Burgkmair.

Images

1. The Old White King Sending His Messengers to Portugal
2. The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism
3. The Young Prince Standing between His Secretaries
4. The White King’s Skill in Conducting Masquerades
5. The White King Learning to Conduct a Kitchen
6. The White King Learning to Enclose a Camp with Wagons
7. The King of Feuereisen and His Only Daughter
8. A Message Concerning the White King’s Marriage
9. The Surrender of the Venetian Townships
10. The Young White King between the Queen and Princess of the Feuereisen
11. Entrance of the White King in Utrecht
12. A Messenger Brings a Letter to the White King as He Sits in Council
13. The Battle Near Teramundt (Teremonde)
14. The Skill of the White King Dealing with Different Nations in Wartime
15. The Voyage of the White King against the Turks
16. The Swiss Embassy against the Blue King
17. The New Treaty between King Philip and Henry VII
18. The White King Receiving His Daughter Margaret and the Children of King Philip
19. The White King’s Council with the Captors
20. The Young White King at the Butts
21. Storming of Moran, at the Shore
22. The Conquest of Gradisca
23. The Splendid Foundation of the Old White King
24. The Battle of the Spurs
25. The Blue King’s Council to Attack the White King by Surprise