The Campaign of the Emperor Maximilian

Art Historical Context

This exquisite stained glass roundel, *The Campaign of the Emperor Maximilian* (1515), crafted by Jörg Breu the Elder—a prominent Augsburg painter known for his detailed woodcuts and designs—and Hans Knoder, showcases the collaborative artistry of early 16th-century German workshops, likely from Nuremberg. Measuring just 10½ inches in diameter, this intimate piece captures a dynamic scene of military prowess, featuring men with flags and early firearms, evoking the emperor's triumphant campaigns. Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (r. 1508–1519) was a master of self-propaganda, commissioning works to glorify his conquests across Europe. Created amid his Swabian War and Italian ventures, this panel reflects the era's fascination with gunpowder weaponry, a revolutionary force reshaping warfare. Stained glass, traditionally for grand cathedrals, here adapts to secular, portable formats—ideal for princely collections—highlighting Nuremberg's mastery in vitreous enameling techniques for vivid color and fine detail. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department (gift of William H. Riggs, 1913), it offers a window into Renaissance Germany's blend of chivalric ideals and modern militarism, inviting visitors to ponder how art immortalized power.