The Entry of King Rudolf of Habsburg into Basel in 1273, 1808 – 1810

Dimensions: 90.5 x 118.9 cm

Physical Description: Oil on canvas

Inventory Number: HM 51

Acquisition: On permanent loan from Historisches Museum Frankfurt am Main since 1922

Status: On display, 1st upper level, Modern Art, room 1

Texts

About the Work

Intentionally clad in a plain grey garment and a black beret, Rudolf von Habsburg rides into the city of Basel with his opulent entourage. He had been elected emperor in Frankfurt a short while previously. In a rigorous, flat composition and with brilliant local colours, this is the Nazarene Pforr's idealised version of the Middle Ages, "where the dignity of man can still be seen in all its strength". Inspired by Old German and Italian Gothic and Early Renaissance art, Pforr dreamed of a patriotic form of painting which would help to revive the spirit of the German nation.

Work Data

Basic Information

Property and Acquisition

Work Content

Motifs and References

Iconclass

Primary

61B2(RUDOLF (Heiliges Römisches Reich, König, 1))historical person (RUDOLF (Heiliges Römisches Reich, König, 1))
44B113king
43A42triumphal entry and public reception, pageant, 'entrée solennelle', 'joyeuse entrée'
61A(1273)historical events and situations (1273)
61E(BASEL)names of cities and villages (BASEL)
46A12nobility and patriciate; chivalry, knighthood

Secondary