Rudolf II, leader of the Holy Roman Empire, ruled from 1575-1612. His reign as emperor was nontraditional and he was well known for his patronage of arts and science. Rudolf had been educated in Spain and moved to Prague in 1583. Unlike other European monarchs, he was solitary and refused to marry. He instead focused on the pursuit of knowledge and used his influence to draw in artists and scientists from across Europe.
The Alchemist in Search of the Philosopher's Stone, by Joseph Wright, 1771
More specifically, Rudolf II was interested in the study of alchemy, an ancient form of natural philosophy. The ultimate aim of alchemy was to create the philosopher’s stone, which has the ability to turn base metals into gold and is said to grant eternal youth. His reign overlapped with the scientific revolution, and even though alchemy may seem more aligned with the occult, it was practiced by some of the most renowned scientists of the time. Some of the most notable people who were supported by the emperor include Johannes Kepler who developed the three laws of planetary motion, John Dee, a famous mathematician and astronomer, and Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. With the help of Rudolf’s power and funds, these men were able to pursue their research. Under Rudolf’s protection, they were also sheltered from the criticism of the Catholic church, who often accused alchemists of heresy or necromancy. The scholarship of alchemy in Prague was an important cultural and social aspect at this time. Thanks to Rudolf’s patronage, the city became a center of curiosity, where scholars could explore new topics, which led to the second golden age of Prague.
Vertumnus, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, 1591
In addition to supporting scientific endeavors, Rudolf brought in many artists to study and work within Prague. Some notable artists include Bartholomeus Spranger and Hans von Aachen. Rudolf’s appreciation of art also led to the brilliant creation of Vertumnus by Giuseppe Arcimboldo. This portrait represents Emperor Rudolf II through a configuration of fruits and vegetables and is a reference to the Roman god of seasons, Vertumnus. This painting was a gift to Rudolf II but unfortunately, it was stolen during the Thirty Years War that took place after Rudolf lost power and now resides in Sweden. Although these men were not Czech, Rudolf encouraged foreign artists to travel to Prague to increase the cities international renown. He greatly appreciated the diversity of style that foreign artists represented.
Spanish Hall in Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Another interesting aspect of the emperor’s rule was the kunstkammer, his cabinet of curiosities that included exotic animals, art, gemstones, and other oddities. The northern wing of Prague Castle was built specifically to house these objects and it was considered the largest collection in Europe. Within his treasure trove were paintings by Dürer, Brueghel, Raphael, Correggio, and Titian. This grand collection represented the accomplishments of mankind and exemplified Rudolf’s wealth and prestige. Today, you can tour the Spanish Room and Rudolf Gallery of the Northern Wing of Prague Castle. Although they are no longer filled with Rudolf’s collection, these beautiful halls are now used for concerts and gatherings.
Rudolf practiced religious tolerance within his empire. Because of this, many Catholics, Protestants, and Jews lived and thrived within Prague. In the past some historians viewed his tolerance as political passiveness, claiming that he was preoccupied with occult sciences. His actions have been reevaluated to show that he was instrumental in making Prague the center of European society and his policy of religious tolerance was an attempt to create a harmonious empire.
Apotheosis of Rudolph II by Oldřich Kulhánek, Ink on Paper, 1989
As the Holy Roman Emperor, the Vatican was not always in support of his decisions. His introverted nature and interest in alchemy led the Catholic church to become skeptical of his ability to rule. Because of this, the church supported Rudolf’s brother Matthias in taking his place as emperor. In 1606 Matthias officially claimed Rudolf as insane, which justified his attempt to usurp the throne. In 1611, Matthias marched an army into Prague, and Rudolf was forced to abdicate his title as emperor. He died a year later in 1612.
A portrait of Rudolf II is currently on display at the Czech Center Museum Houston. Titled Apotheosis of Rudolph II, the etching commemorates his most important achievements and uses two female figures overlooking the emperor to represent his patronage of arts and science. Despite the criticism that Emperor Rudolf II received at the time, many of the developments within the arts and culture of Prague can be accredited to him. His progressive views of religious tolerance fostered a positive environment within the city that allowed for people to focus on scientific developments and creativity. Rudolf’s reign should be remembered for the ways in which Prague flourished under his rule.
Written by: Rachel Stenz