Emperor Barbarossa Pl.03
1913
Franz Stassen brings medieval history to life in this vibrant 1913 illustration, depicting the coronation of Frederick Barbarossa (the 'Redbeard' Emperor) in Aachen. The bearded ruler kneels in lavish gold and purple robes while a bishop dramatically lifts the imperial crown, surrounded by a crowd of mitred clergy and armored guards. Stassen was famous for illustrating Germanic legends, and here he uses the decorative, rich patterns of the Art Nouveau era to turn a historical event into something that looks like a page from a fairy tale. It’s a wonderful example of how early 20th-century artists romanticized the Holy Roman Empire, dressing up the past in its most colorful glory.