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Lot Essay
The inscription on the reverse of this crucifix (which can be translated roughly as 'Out of the generosity of the most Serene and most Reverend Maximilian Henry, Duke of both Bavarias, Prefect of the Religious Brotherhood and various others of this Brotherhood') appears to suggest that it was a gift from Maximilian I of Bavaria. Maximilian, one of the great figures of the Thirty Years War, was Duke of Bavaria from 1598, and Elector from 1623. His subjugation of Donauwörth, a free city, was the catalyst for the creation of the Protestant Union in 1609. Maximilian was, himself, the guiding force of the Catholic League which rose in opposition to the coalition of protestant princes.
Apart from his politic and military exploits, Maximilian was a great Catholic patron, founding five Jesuit colleges, nine Franciscan and fourteen Capuchin monasteries, as well as donating generously to other causes. The present cross could well have been a donation to one of the many institutions he had founded.
Apart from his politic and military exploits, Maximilian was a great Catholic patron, founding five Jesuit colleges, nine Franciscan and fourteen Capuchin monasteries, as well as donating generously to other causes. The present cross could well have been a donation to one of the many institutions he had founded.