A Message Concerning the White King's Marriage

Art Historical Context

**A Message Concerning the White Marriage** is a captivating woodcut by Hans Burgkmair, a leading German artist of the late 15th century (ca. 1473–1531). Created between 1401 and 1500 on laid paper (sheet: 22 × 19.9 cm), this exemplifies the Renaissance-era explosion of woodcut techniques in the Holy Roman Empire, particularly in Augsburg where Burgkmair worked As one of the first artists to experiment with colored woodcuts, he bridged late Gothic traditions with emerging Italian Renaissance influences, producing intricate, narrative-driven images that could be mass-reproduced affordably. The title hints at a dramatic scene—possibly alluding to chivalric tales, royal alliances, or allegorical events involving a "White King," a motif evoking heraldry, chess symbolism, or historical figures like Habsburg rulers. Woodcuts like this were vital for spreading news, stories, and propaganda among diverse audiences, from nobles to common folk, before the printing press fully dominated. Burgkmair's masterful line work and tonal shading on laid paper (a high-quality, handmade support) demonstrate the medium's potential for expressive detail despite its simplicity. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-E Department (Gift of Dr. Paul J. Sachs), this print offers a window into 15th-century visual culture, where art democratized elite narratives. Visitors will appreciate its historical charm and Burgkmair's pioneering role in printmaking's golden age.

About the Artist

Hans Burgkmair I

Hans Burgkmair I (1473–1531) was one of the most accomplished and versatile German artists of the Renaissance, a master of painting, woodcut design, and manuscript illumination who worked primarily in Augsburg and played a central role in bringing Italian Renaissance ideas north of the Alps. The son of the painter Thomas Burgkmair, he received his earliest training in his father's workshop before ...