The Betrothal of Mary of Burgundy from the Triumphal Arch of Emperor Maximilian I

The Betrothal of Mary of Burgundy from the Triumphal Arch of Emperor Maximilian I, created by Albrecht Dürer in 1515, is a monumental example of Northern Renaissance printmaking. Executed as a finely detailed woodcut, this panel was a key component of the massive Triumphal Arch project commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I. The purpose of this ambitious, multi-block print assemblage was to create a permanent, reproducible paper monument celebrating the Emperor’s political lineage, military victories, and territorial expansions.

This specific segment illustrates a critically important dynastic event: the betrothal of Mary of Burgundy to Maximilian I. Mary’s vast inheritance in the Low Countries was central to the foundation of the Hapsburg Empire, making this union the cornerstone of imperial power. Dürer’s detailed composition captures the formality of the occasion, depicting the assembled Kings and Queens in ceremonial attire.

The design emphasizes the dynastic legitimacy of the alliance through meticulous heraldry. The intricate display of various shields and Coat of Arms identifies the territories brought together by the marriage, effectively visualizing the new geographical scope of Hapsburg authority. As a leading master of the medium, Dürer ensured that the final prints achieved both clarity and dramatic impact, essential qualities for such a complex and propagandistic work. The success of the project lay in its ability to produce reproducible fine art prints that disseminated imperial imagery across Europe. This historically vital print is maintained in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.