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Rudolf II: The Life and Legend of the Mad Emperor
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 29, 2025
brb - adding Rudie to the list of historical figures I will defend until the end.
As an art historian this was a very useful book if you want to analyse the Rudolphine art production. It was set up in a clear way, complete with sources and pictures. This was more or less my introduction to Rudolf.
The book however is set up like an argumentative structure - it serves a purpose of re-evaluating Rudolf as a mad king (made me think of Richard III: Brother, Protector, King by Chris Skidmore). Because of this structure, I can imagine this book doesn't work for most casual readers. Personally, I also struggled with the whole Habsburg Europe of the 16th century - as a Dutch art historian studying the Dutch 17th century, the wars and the lineage was hard to follow.
As an art historian this was a very useful book if you want to analyse the Rudolphine art production. It was set up in a clear way, complete with sources and pictures. This was more or less my introduction to Rudolf.
The book however is set up like an argumentative structure - it serves a purpose of re-evaluating Rudolf as a mad king (made me think of Richard III: Brother, Protector, King by Chris Skidmore). Because of this structure, I can imagine this book doesn't work for most casual readers. Personally, I also struggled with the whole Habsburg Europe of the 16th century - as a Dutch art historian studying the Dutch 17th century, the wars and the lineage was hard to follow.
June 16, 2025
Konsthistoriskt trevlig biografi som fokuserar på Rudolf II som samlare och hans egen världsbild mer än det han inte riktigt lyckades göra som konung.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews