Artwork
Der Künig (The King)
Der Künig (The King) is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hans Lützelburger. It dates from 1526 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Der Künig (The King) is a woodcut print created by Hans Lützelburger around 1526. It is one of the artist's notable works, showcasing his skill as a blockcutter.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a crowned king on a throne, surrounded by figures in a grand, stone-walled room with a patterned floor. The scene includes a dragon or snake at its base, suggesting a symbolic or allegorical meaning beyond a straightforward portrait.
Technique & Style
As a woodcut, Der Künig was produced by carving a design into a woodblock, which was then used to print the image. Lützelburger's expertise in this technique is evident in the print's detailed rendering of textures and figures.
History & Provenance
Lützelburger was active in Augsburg from around 1516 until his death in June 1526. He is best known for his work on Hans Holbein the Younger's Dance of Death series, which he was still working on at the time of his death.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Lützelburger (died June 1526), also known as Hans Franck, was a German blockcutter ("formschneider") for woodcuts, regarded as one of the finest of his day.
