The Upper Section of the Entryway to the Central Portal with a Winged Figure Holding the Imperial Crown, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18 by Albrecht Dürer, represents a critical component of one of the largest graphic commissions in art history. This work is a proof state for the monumental Ehrenpforte (Arch of Honor) commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. Executed primarily as a woodcut, this specific piece was intended to form a small, yet significant, section of the finished work, which consisted of 192 separate blocks designed to function as a life-sized, temporary trompe l’oeil triumphal arch.
The detailed scene depicts the upper section of the Central Portal’s architrave. Prominently featured is a powerful winged figure, perhaps Fame or Victory, holding aloft the Imperial Crown. This imagery symbolized the divine or heavenly mandate for Maximilian’s rule and served as a powerful piece of dynastic propaganda. Dürer, who served as the chief designer and conceptual orchestrator for this colossal project, carefully managed the complex iconography across the entire structure, merging historical narrative with mythological references celebrating the Emperor’s lineage and military successes.
The 1515 date marks the completion of the design stage, while the actual printing and assembly of the final Arch of Honor occurred between 1517 and 1518. This particular impression, combining the clarity of the finely carved woodcut technique with surrounding letterpress elements, showcases the technical precision required for managing such a vast artistic and printing endeavor. As a significant example of early 16th-century Germanic prints, this piece is held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the cultural importance of such masterworks, high-quality images of these impressive Renaissance prints are often available in the public domain for scholarly study.
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