Ehrenhold Delivering Ehrenreich's Message to Theuerdank, from [Theuerdank] Die geuerlicheiten vnd einsteils der geschichten des loblichen streytparen vnd hochberümbten helds vnd Ritters herr Tewrdannckhs 1517

Hans Burgkmair created this woodcut, "Ehrenhold Delivering Ehrenreich's Message to Theuerdank," in the early 16th century. The print comes from the series "Theuerdank," commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I, and provides a glimpse into the performative aspects of Imperial power and identity during the Renaissance. Consider the characters depicted: Ehrenhold, the messenger, stands before Theuerdank, embodying loyalty and service. The context is steeped in the chivalric culture of the time, where honor and allegiances defined social standing. What does it mean to craft and control a message? What are the power dynamics at play when one controls narratives of heroism and virtue? Note the emotional weight the artist assigns to each figure through details such as posture and attire. Burgkmair’s compositions contributed to a visual language that reinforced social hierarchies, and perpetuated idealized images of masculinity, heroism, and the Emperor’s reign. This image invites us to reflect on the ways in which those with power, like Emperor Maximilian I, control their narratives and shape collective memory.