The Tomb Erected by Maximilian for His Father; and The Imperial Treasure; with Portraits of Maximilian's Ancestors and Relatives, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18

The Tomb Erected by Maximilian for His Father; and The Imperial Treasure; with Portraits of Maximilian's Ancestors and Relatives, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18, is a monumental graphic work executed by Albrecht Dürer. This complex piece is rendered through the demanding mediums of woodcut and letterpress. Designed primarily in 1515, this section was later printed between 1517 and 1518 as a component of the colossal Arch of Honor, a multi-sheet project commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) intended to function as a visual manifestation of imperial lineage and political supremacy.

This specific proof meticulously documents the Hapsburg genealogy, integrating detailed portraits of Maximilian's ancestors and relatives alongside representations of the imperial treasure and an architectural depiction of the tomb erected for his father. Dürer’s unparalleled ability to translate intricate detail into the relatively restrictive medium of woodcut is evident in the precise rendering of heraldry, architectural motifs, and facial features, cementing his status as the preeminent graphic artist of the Northern Renaissance. The work is a powerful example of how large-scale prints were utilized as effective political propaganda in the early 16th century, distributed across Europe to glorify the emperor.

As a historical print, the sheet captures a pivotal moment of artistic patronage and collaboration. This proof of The Tomb Erected by Maximilian for His Father; and The Imperial Treasure... is held within the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a critical example of Dürer’s contribution to the Arch of Honor project and his mastery over the printmaking classification.