Leonhard Beck (1475-1542) Lot n° 2

Leonhard Beck - Maximilian fights the Knight - 1517 impression / Description: Rare original from the early 16th century, not the common later reprint of the 18th century. Theuerdank's combat on foot with the sixth knight; Theuerdank engaged in a swordfight in the left foreground has just struck his opponent on the head. Ernhold standing next to a large rock on the left, Neidelhardt standing on the right. In the background a lake, on its far shore a large town. woodcut to Melchior Pfinzing, 'Theuerdank'. From one of the most important works of the German Renaissance printed in the year 1517 in Nuremberg: an epic poem by Emperor Maximilian I himself! Therein the Kaiser addresses his journey to meet his new bride, Mary of Burgundy, which is embedded in an environment which is typical for that time – full of adventure and chivalrous virtues. The most important artists of the time, including Hans Burgkmair, Hans Schäufelein, and Leonhard Beck, contributed to the magnificent illustrations in the form of 118 woodcuts. The Augsburg printer Hans Schönesperger, Maximilian’s imperial book printer, produced the work with a specially designed typeface / Dimensions: 16,00 x 14,00 cm / Condition: Good impression on laid paper with full plate border and good margin. Excellent condition. / Literature: New Hollstein (German) / The New Hollstein: German engravings, etchings and woodcuts 1400-1700 (352) -----Dodgson 1903, 1911 / Catalogue of Early German and Flemish Woodcuts in the BM, 2 vols (II.125.3.70a)-----Hollstein / Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts c.1450-1700 (7)-----Bartsch / Le Peintre graveur (VII.272.132) / Medium: Woodcut /Circa: 1517