KING PŘEMYSL OTTOKAR II. OF BOHEMIA

Přemysl Otakar the 2nd, called the "Iron and Golden King," was the son of Czech King Wenceslas the 1st He became a powerful ruler under whose reign the Czech lands flourished during the 13th century. Přemysl greatest rival was the Hungarian king Béla the 4th, over whom he triumphed at the Battle of Kressenbrunn in 1260. Although Přemysl Otakar won the battle, he felt the need to maintain peace. He negotiated a diplomatic marriage between his niece Kunhuta, daughter of Otto 3rd of Brandenburg, and the son of the Hungarian king Béla.

The painting depicts the wedding intended to cement the alliance between the ruling families. This wedding took place in a tent settlement on the Zitny Island near Bratislava on October 25, 1264. The central motive is the interior of the main ceremonial tent, decorated with coats of arms of the lands ruled by Přemysl Otakar the 2nd. The main figure is King Přemysl Otakar, greeting his former opponents who gathered for the wedding. The king is portrayed as a powerful and influential monarch among the strong rulers of Europe.