Collecting Netherlandish Tapestry in Germany during the 16th century

Abstract

The luxury industry of tapestry weaving has long been associated with the rich and powerful rulers of the European countries. The huge collection of Flemish tapestries amassed by the Habsburg is now well documented. Stimulated by the example of the monarchs, the leading nobility were also important patrons of the workshops in the Low Countries. Some collections are now a little better known but not fully investigated, such as those of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony (r. 1486-1525); Günther XLI, Count of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt (r. 1552-1583); or Albrecht V, Duke of Bavaria (r. 1550-1579). Another keen clients of the Netherlandish workshops were the Counts Palatine and Electors of the Rhine (especially Otto-Henry and Frederick III), whose made substantial purchases of Netherlandish tapestries to decorate their residences at Neuburg and Heidelberg. In this paper, I will determine what survives and is acceptable as secure evidence for the presence of Flemish tapestry in Germany. I will exploit that evidence to give an overview of the different types of owners and their collections, the character of the works they commissioned or bought, their means of collecting, their agents (both German and Flemish), their likely reasons or intentions in collecting, and the use to which they put Flemish tapestry. Our approach will provide new perspectives for further research