Title-Border with Putti Holding the Pirckheimer Arms

Title-Border with Putti Holding the Pirckheimer Arms is a celebrated woodcut created by the master German artist Albrecht Dürer in 1513. This impressive print, executed on fine laid paper, serves as a quintessential example of graphic arts produced during the prolific period of 1501 to 1550.

Dürer designed this elaborate decorative border specifically for his close friend, the wealthy humanist scholar Willibald Pirckheimer. The composition features energetic putti playfully interacting with and supporting the Pirckheimer coat of arms, surrounding the central blank area intended for text or an inscription. The intricate linework and skillful shading demonstrate Dürer’s unparalleled command of the woodcut medium, transforming what was traditionally considered a lower-cost form of image-making into high art. The work is highly representative of the Northern Renaissance style, successfully blending classical motifs like the putti figures with the precise realism characteristic of German graphic prints.

Such decorative title borders were essential components of scholarly publications during the sixteenth century, serving as frontispieces and lending visual prestige to the books they framed. This piece highlights the strong intellectual connections between Dürer and the sophisticated scholarly circles of Nuremberg during the early 16th century. Though created firmly in the German tradition of meticulous craftsmanship, this 1513 woodcut circulated widely and was highly influential across Europe. This particular impression of the work, known formally as Title-Border with Putti Holding the Pirckheimer Arms, is housed in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. As a significant historical print, it continues to be studied as a key example of Dürer's mastery, and high-quality digital prints are often accessible through public domain initiatives.