This extremely rare leaf is from one of the greatest illustrated books of the first half of the sixteenth century. This extraordinary work was inspired and written with the assistance of the court poet, Melchior Pfinzing, in the tradition of the heroic epics, by Emperor Maximilian I [1459-1519]. This poem describes the courtship of young Maximilian (Theuerdank) and Maria, heiress of the Kingdom of Burgundy. The book was illustrated with 118 fine woodcut illustrations by Hans Burgkmair, Hans Schaeufelein and Leonhard Beck. Only forty copies were printed on very high quality vellum by Hans Schoensperger and distributed to the emperor's friends. This illustration depicts the hero on his journey to Bruges to collect his bride.

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Condition: A+