Halberdiers, from the Triumphal Procession of Maximilian
Hans Burgkmair, the elder
published 1526, printed 1779 or later
Medium
Woodcut in black on tan laid paper
Dimensions
Sheet, unfolded: 38 × 55 cm (15 × 21 11/16 in.)
Classification
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
49096
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Burgkmair produced most of the designs for Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I’s Triumphal Procession, an enormous frieze of over 130 woodcuts meant to decorate the state rooms of his nobles. The print expresses the emperor’s military strength, with group after group of foot soldiers and cavalry following him in an ongoing procession. Here Landsknechte in resplendent garb hoist halberds as they join the parade.