Portrait of Ulrich Artzt, mayor of Augsburg, and captain of the Swabian League 1514 - 1515

Editor: Here we have a portrait made sometime between 1514 and 1515. It’s a pencil drawing of Ulrich Artzt, the mayor of Augsburg and captain of the Swabian League. The detail in his fur hat and beard is remarkable. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: What immediately strikes me is the power conveyed through such a simple medium. Consider the context: Artzt was a mayor and a military leader. How might this portrait, in its very existence, participate in constructing his identity and solidifying his authority in a turbulent era? What do you think? Editor: Well, he does look quite serious. It's interesting to think about how art can create or enhance someone's power. Curator: Exactly. And think about the Swabian League he captained. It was essentially a military alliance of nobles and cities against perceived threats. This portrait can be viewed as a visual representation of power dynamics at play during a period of social and political upheaval. Editor: That’s fascinating. So, it's not just a likeness; it's a statement about status and security during that time? Curator: Precisely. And the use of drawing, rather than painting, might even speak to something about accessibility. Who was this image intended for, and what purpose did it serve in Augsburg's social fabric? Editor: I never would have considered all of that. Now I see so much more than just a portrait! Thanks. Curator: It’s all about placing the artwork within a wider context. Now, when we look at other artworks of this period, we can question whose stories are told and who is left out, enriching our understanding of not only art, but also society.