Collecting Netherlandish Tapestry in Germany during the 16th century

The luxury industry of tapestry weaving has long been associated with the rich and
powerful rulers of the European countries. The huge collection of Flemish tapestries
amassed by the Habsburg is now well documented. Stimulated by the example of the
monarchs, the leading nobility were also important patrons of the workshops in the Low
Countries. Some collections are now a little better known but not fully investigated,
such as those of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony (r. 1486-1525); Günther XLI,
Count of Schwarzburg-Arnstadt (r. 1552-1583); or Albrecht V, Duke of Bavaria (r.
1550-1579). Another keen clients of the Netherlandish workshops were the Counts
Palatine and Electors of the Rhine (especially Otto-Henry and Frederick III), whose
made substantial purchases of Netherlandish tapestries to decorate their residences at
Neuburg and Heidelberg. In this paper, I will determine what survives and is acceptable as secure evidence for the presence of Flemish tapestry in Germany. I will exploit that evidence to give an
overview of the different types of owners and their collections, the character of the
works they commissioned or bought, their means of collecting, their agents (both
German and Flemish), their likely reasons or intentions in collecting, and the use to
which they put Flemish tapestry. Our approach will provide new perspectives for further
research.