Modern publishers have often enjoyed using a portion of the iconic presentation of Ulrich von Liechtenstein in the
Codex Manesse(ca. 1310, Heidelberg, Cod. Pal. germ. 848, fol. 237r) for their book covers because it shows a combination of a knight’s helmet with the image of Lady Venus, which thus seemingly opens perspectives toward a more fluid gender identification already in the Middle Ages. This post-modern approach is, however, an astonishing misunderstanding and the result of the seductive power of icons from the past that are no longer properly interpreted. Certainly, the poet indeed played somewhat with gender roles through his mask, though in the end there is no question at all about his male identification and his deep desire to gain his lady’s love for whom he played with…
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Citation: Classen, Albrecht. "Ulrich von Liechtenstein". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 03 August 2024 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=15267, accessed 23 November 2024.]
