Rijksdag van Augsburg, 1530 1600 - 1661

Georg Cöler's print depicts the Reichstag or Imperial Diet of Augsburg, an event of great religious and political importance in 16th century Germany. The Diet was convened in 1530 by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in an attempt to resolve the religious divisions brought about by the Reformation. The image creates meaning through visual codes of power and status. Charles V is seated under a canopy, enthroned like a king. The representatives of the various German states are arranged before him. Note the architectural setting, with its high vaulted ceiling and portraits of emperors. The setting is designed to evoke tradition and authority. The Augsburg Confession, a key document of Lutheranism, was presented at this Diet. The failure to reconcile the Catholic and Lutheran positions at Augsburg led to further religious conflict and ultimately to the Peace of Augsburg in 1555, which formally recognized the division of Christendom. Understanding this print requires that we attend to the wider political and religious context. Historians consult documents, theological treatises, and political pamphlets to understand the complex forces at play. Art like this reminds us that its meaning is always contingent on its historical and institutional context.