Constancia der Künigin in Sicilia · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: Constancia der Künigin in Sicilia
Period: 1500-1550;
Geographic: Ancient Rome; Italy; Sicily
Description: The right side of this engraving depicts Constance, the daughter of King William of Sicily, marrying Henry, the emperor of Rome. Constance was forced to be a nun at a young age due to a prophecy which foretold Constance would somehow cause the destruction of Sicily. Her father, William, put her in a convent to prevent the prophecy from happening. At an older age, Constance was married to Emperor Henry and bore a son at the age of 55. Constance is depicted in the centre of the engraving lying in a bed after giving birth to her son, Frederick. Frederick is depicted getting baptized on the left side of the image. The baby grows up to be the one to fulfill the prophecy that King William was fearful of.
Image Creator: Joerg Breu (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:18414
Language: ger
Source Name: Ein schöne Cronica oder Hystoribuch von den fürnämlichsten Weybern [A beautiful chronicle or history book of reputable women]
Parent Collection: 1543 Stayner; 1543 Stayner
Image: mta_18414_OBJ.jpg
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Important Women; Famous Women; Convent; Important Queens; Prophecies; Constance