The Marriage of Philip the Fair to Joanna of Austria; Maximilian Recaptures the Occupied Territories from Hungary; The Conquest of Hungary; The Swiss War; The Liberation of Naples; and The Battle of Wenzenberg, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18

The Marriage of Philip the Fair to Joanna of Austria; Maximilian Recaptures the Occupied Territories from Hungary; The Conquest of Hungary; The Swiss War; The Liberation of Naples; and The Battle of Wenzenberg, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18, is a magnificent section from the monumental propaganda project executed by Albrecht Dürer. This massive work was commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I and served to celebrate the ruler’s lineage, marriages, and military triumphs. Rendered in the demanding technique of woodcut and supplemented by descriptive letterpress, the print exemplifies the ambition and sophistication of graphic arts during the German Renaissance.

Designed primarily in 1515, Dürer and his collaborators created the full Arch of Honor (Ehrenpforte), a composite of 192 separate blocks, which stands as one of the largest prints ever conceived. This specific impression chronicles crucial historical moments defining the Habsburg ascendancy. The narratives celebrate strategic political unions, such as the marriage of Philip the Fair and Joanna of Austria, alongside decisive military actions, including the Conquest of Hungary and the decisive Battle of Wenzenberg. These elements were vital to Maximilian’s strategy of employing monumental public domain artwork to legitimize and disseminate his historical legacy across the empire.

As a rare proof impression, the piece offers unique insights into the intricate production methods required to organize the complex allegories and historical scenes across multiple carved blocks. The scale and clarity of Dürer’s original design are evident in this impression. Classified as a crucial early print, the work remains a vital historical document of Imperial patronage and is preserved within the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.