Maximilian as Architect; with a Statue of St. Leopold; and Busts of Maximilian's Ancestors and Relatives, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18

Maximilian as Architect; with a Statue of St. Leopold; and Busts of Maximilian's Ancestors and Relatives, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18 by Albrecht Dürer is a monumental woodcut print created for Emperor Maximilian I. This work represents one essential segment of the massive, composite project known as the Arch of Honor, a fictitious triumphal arch intended to promote the Emperor’s historical lineage, political supremacy, and military achievements across the Holy Roman Empire. The ambitious scope of the Arch required the coordination of several artists and expert block cutters, with Dürer serving as the chief designer.

Executed using the woodcut technique, often combined with letterpress for accompanying text, the piece showcases Dürer’s unparalleled ability to render complex architectural and figurative detail on a large scale. The specific subject matter highlights Maximilian's dual identity: he is physically represented in the pose of an architect or builder, symbolically constructing his enduring legacy. This imperial figure is juxtaposed with a statue of his ancestor and dynastic patron, St. Leopold, and surrounded by framed busts of other ancestors and relatives, meticulously reinforcing the Habsburg genealogical claim to power.

The dating associated with this work often refers to the design phase; although the proof is dated 1515, the final printing occurred later, between 1517 and 1518. Classified as a critical example of Renaissance propaganda prints, this piece illustrates the political and artistic collaboration characteristic of the imperial court. This significant historical print is housed within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.