Image 1.7
ALBRECHT DÜRER, PORTRAIT OF CHARLEMAGNE (1511-­‐1513)1
The greatest Frankish ruler was Charles the Great, or Charlemagne (r. 768–814), the grandson of Charles Martel. Sometimes called the “father of Europe,” he united most of France, Germany, and northern Italy. It has been argued that the mortal threat of Islam necessitated the rise of a counter force in Europe. In reality, had Charles been less great, the Carolingian Empire could never have risen. Certainly, Pope Leo III recognized the Frankish king’s significance and crowned him “Emperor of the Romans” on Christmas day in 800. In return, Charlemagne promoted the Christiani-­‐
zation (in some cases by force of arms) of his still largely pagan empire, patronized scholarship and the arts, and fostered what scholars have called the Carolingian Renaissance.
In the painting below, Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), probably the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance, has depicted Charlemagne as emperor.
For the image’s original Internet location, click here. 1
Image provided courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.