Conrad Celtis Presenting His Book "Quatuor Libri Amorum" to Maximilian I (from the book)

Conrad Celtis Presenting His Book "Quatuor Libri Amorum" to Maximilian I (from the book) is a pivotal woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1502. This striking print serves as the frontispiece for Celtis's significant collection of love poems, demonstrating the close relationship between influential humanists and imperial power during the peak of the German Renaissance. As a masterful example of early 16th-century prints, the composition captures a moment of crucial intellectual exchange and royal patronage.

The highly formal scene depicts the celebrated poet and scholar, Conrad Celtis, presenting his newly published book, the Quatuor Libri Amorum (Four Books of Love), directly to Emperor Maximilian I. The formality emphasizes the status of both powerful men. Dürer's signature linear style, characteristic of his woodcut technique, meticulously renders the figures, drapery, and architectural elements. Prominently displayed above the figures is an elaborate imperial coat of arms, signifying the emperor's authority and validating the political importance of the literary work being dedicated. This visual confirmation of patronage was vital for humanists like Celtis seeking support for their scholarly endeavors.

This piece is historically significant not just as an illustration, but as essential documentation of the interplay between intellectual achievement and political power in the Holy Roman Empire. The intricate detail of the woodcut highlights Dürer’s mastery in this challenging medium. Many early prints capturing images of important men and historical events, such as this one, are now widely studied, often entering the public domain, which ensures broad scholarly access. This essential work of the Northern Renaissance is housed in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.