Jagende valken en valkenier te paard als standaarddrager 1483 - 1526

Hans Burgkmair created this print, Jagende valken en valkenier te paard als standaarddrager, using woodcut in Augsburg. This print is very telling of the cultural norms of its time. This print depicts a falconer on horseback as a standard-bearer, complete with hunting falcons. In the culture of the Holy Roman Empire, falconry was a sport closely associated with the nobility and aristocracy. The image would create meaning through these aristocratic associations. The Augsburg location is also important because the city was an important center for the production of printed images in the region. Burgkmair's works themselves reflect this culture and the social structures of the time. The social conditions that shape artistic production are key to understanding this print. This meaning can be teased out through careful research of the historical context. Understanding the social and institutional context enables us to appreciate the role of art in reflecting and reinforcing social norms.