The Congress and Double Betrothal at Vienna, from The Triumphal Arch of Maximilian I

The Congress and Double Betrothal at Vienna, from The Triumphal Arch of Maximilian I by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a pivotal component of one of the largest and most ambitious graphic works ever commissioned: Emperor Maximilian I’s vast commemorative project. Created in 1515, this particular section chronicles a major diplomatic achievement: the 1515 Congress of Vienna. This event was crucial for cementing the Habsburg dynasty’s power across Europe through strategic royal marriages, famously dubbed the "Double Betrothal." The arrangement involved the betrothal of Maximilian’s grandson Ferdinand to Anna of Bohemia and Hungary, and his granddaughter Mary to Louis II of Hungary and Bohemia, securing immense future territories for the Holy Roman Empire. Dürer’s detailed execution translates this complex political history into enduring visual propaganda, celebrating the Emperor's foresight.

The work is an exceptional example of a Northern Renaissance print, specifically a woodcut executed in black ink on ivory laid paper. Dürer, widely considered the greatest master of the German woodcut medium during this period, contributed numerous designs for the overall Triumphal Arch that utilized the print medium's capacity for sharp detail and monumental, reproducible scale. While the complete Arch was formed from 192 separate blocks, this specific sheet highlights the dense historical narrative and sophisticated iconography characteristic of the project. The print stands as invaluable documentation of early 16th-century court propaganda and remains a cornerstone of the history of German prints. This significant piece is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the wealth of high-quality images available for study in the public domain.