Coat of Arms of Maximilian I as King of the Romans

The Coat of Arms of Maximilian I as King of the Romans is a significant German Renaissance print created in 1517, produced after a design by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528. This monumental image, executed as a woodcut in black on ivory laid paper, exemplifies the sophisticated printmaking campaigns commissioned by the Habsburg court in the early sixteenth century.

The technique of the woodcut allowed for the efficient mass production and dissemination of official imperial imagery throughout Germany and beyond. Commissioned during Emperor Maximilian I’s reign (who held the title King of the Romans prior to his election as Emperor), this piece is a prime example of the fruitful collaboration between the ruler and the era’s most celebrated graphic artist. Dürer acted as the unofficial visual chronicler for the Holy Roman Emperor, designing numerous heraldic and triumphal works intended to solidify Maximilian’s political and dynastic legacy.

The composition prominently features the complex system of heraldry, centering on the imperial eagle, which signifies Maximilian's vast territorial claims and authority. This work transforms the functional purpose of a coat of arms into a masterful display of Renaissance draftsmanship, demonstrating Dürer’s mastery of line and form even when adapting existing designs. This historically rich print is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago and its status as a foundational piece of Northern European graphic arts means reproductions are often made available through public domain initiatives, underscoring its lasting influence among German prints.