Karel V in gesprek met Jakob Fugger 1872 - 1873

Friedrich Wilhelm Zimmermann created this print, "Karel V in gesprek met Jakob Fugger", sometime in the mid-19th century. Zimmermann was working in a period when the institutions of art, like museums and academies, sought to define national identity through historical narratives. This print depicts Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, in conversation with Jakob Fugger, a wealthy merchant. The scene suggests the power dynamics of the 16th century. Charles V, despite his imperial status, was heavily reliant on the financial support of figures like Fugger to fund his military campaigns and maintain his political power. Zimmermann, working in 19th century Germany, would have been acutely aware of the importance of wealth and political connections. To understand Zimmermann's image, it would be helpful to consider how patronage worked at the time and research the precise financial relationship between Charles V and Jakob Fugger. By looking at historical documents we can understand how economics affected political history.