Rudolf II of Habsburg INTRODUCTION

Rudolf II of Habsburg was an archduke of Austria and the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from 1576 until his abdication in 1611. He was a significant patron of art and science, and his court in Prague became a prominent cultural center during his reign. He fostered the creation of an extensive art collection that included works by renowned artists such as Titian, Raphael, Dürer, and Arcimboldo. Additionally, he also supported scientists and astronomers, including Johannes Kepler. Rudolf II had a refined taste for art and alchemy, and his court became a place for the exchange of ideas and knowledge.