1526
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Emperor is a 1526 ink by Hans Lützelburger, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This woodcut shows a crowded scene with a mix of people and strange, ghostly figures. Some figures hold staffs or books, while others float or crouch in the background. The lines are sharp and detailed, creating a busy, almost chaotic look. Notice how the artist packed so much into one small space—every inch is filled with tiny figures and symbols. This was a common way to tell big stories in woodcuts during that time. Next, look up woodcut to see how artists carved images into wood blocks before printing them.
Hans Lützelburger (died June 1526), also known as Hans Franck, was a German blockcutter ("formschneider") for woodcuts, regarded as one of the finest of his day.
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