The Voyage of the White King Against the Turks, from Der Weisskunig

Art Historical Context

*The Voyage of the White King the Turks* is a striking woodcut proof from the illustrated biography *Der Weisskunig* (The White King), created between 1514 and 1516 by a talented trio: Hans Burgkmair, a leading German Renaissance artist known for his woodcut designs; Jost de Negker, a master woodcutter famed for his innovative chiaroscuro techniques; and Marx Treitz-Sauerwein von Ehrentre, who contributed to the project's narrative and visuals. Printed on a modest sheet measuring 8 3/4 × 7 13/16 inches, this proof—identified in the Hollstein catalog—captures a dynamic scene of soldiers aboard ships clashing with Turkish forces, evoking the era's naval tensions. Part of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I's self-commissioned life story, the print glorifies his military prowess amid Habsburg-Ottoman rivalries, blending historical ambition with propaganda. Woodcuts like this were revolutionary in early 16th-century Europe, allowing mass production of intricate images that brought epic tales to wide audiences beyond elite courts. The collaborative process highlights the Renaissance shift toward specialized printmaking, where designers, cutters, and authors pooled expertise for vivid storytelling. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (thanks to the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1943), this proof offers a window into how art fueled imperial identity, blending chivalric fantasy with real geopolitical strife. Imagine the thrill of soldiers charging across turbulent seas— a testament to Maximilian's enduring legacy.

About the Artist

Hans Burgkmair|Jost de Negker|Marx Treitz-Sauerwein von Ehrentreitz · 1473–1531

Hans Burgkmair the Elder (1473–1531) was a German painter and printmaker who became one of the leading artists of the Renaissance in Augsburg. Born into a family of painters — his father, Thoman Burgkmair, was a respected artist — he likely received his initial training in his father's workshop. He may also have studied with Martin Schongauer in Colmar, and a probable visit to Italy around 1507 ex...