The Arch in the Entryway of the Right Portal (Die Porten des Adels); and the Outer Right Column of the Central Portal, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18

The Arch in the Entryway of the Right Portal (Die Porten des Adels); and the Outer Right Column of the Central Portal, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18 by Albrecht Dürer is a monumental example of early Northern Renaissance printmaking. Executed primarily as a woodcut with elements of letterpress, this work is not a standalone piece but rather a component from the vast, composite Arch of Honor (Ehrenpforte), commissioned by the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. This ambitious imperial project, meant to be affixed to a wall, served as elaborate propaganda celebrating the emperor’s lineage and glory.

Dürer, alongside his collaborators, designed the overall structure, which mimics a triumphal Roman arch. This particular proof details the architectural articulation of the right portal, labeled Die Porten des Adels (The Gates of Nobility), alongside an outer supporting column. These prints were meticulously engineered to convey immense architectural detail, complexity, and scale, requiring exceptional coordination between the designer and the block cutters. While Dürer’s design for the structure was conceived and dated 1515, the official large edition prints were issued between 1517 and 1518.

As a proof state, this sheet provides valuable insight into the production phase of one of the most elaborate prints of the 16th century. The sheer magnitude of the original composition, made up of 192 individual woodblocks, elevated the medium from a functional illustrative tool to a serious artistic form. This historical print is held in the renowned collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it demonstrates Dürer’s foundational role in Renaissance graphic arts. Such important historical works often enter the public domain, making high-quality reproductions and scholarly study accessible globally.