Emperor Barbarossa Pl.02
1913
This 1913 book cover for 'Kaiser Rotbart' (Emperor Barbarossa) by Franz Stassen is a fantastic example of German Art Nouveau meeting historicist nationalism. Flanking the glittering Imperial Crown are two medieval heavyweights: Henry the Lion on the left and Albert the Bear on the right, each accompanied by their shadowy animal namesakes. The bold, graphic linework and gold accents were designed to make history feel like a swashbuckling adventure for the 'Vaterländische Bilderbücher' (Patriotic Picture Books) series. It’s a fascinating snapshot of how the Holy Roman Empire was romanticized right on the eve of World War I.