Verbond van Maximiliaan I met Hendrik VII

Verbond van Maximiliaan I met Hendrik VII is a significant print created by the German master Albrecht Dürer in 1515. Executed on paper, this work demonstrates Dürer’s unparalleled skill in printmaking, a versatile and revolutionary medium central to the dissemination of ideas and imagery during the Northern Renaissance. This particular piece commemorates a high-stakes political event: the alliance, or "Verbond," between the powerful Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I and King Henry VII of England.

As one of the foremost artists of the era in Germany, Dürer often undertook commissions with high political importance, crafting images that served as documentation and subtly reinforced imperial authority. The precise details of the imagery depicted in the Verbond van Maximiliaan I met Hendrik VII likely serve as allegorical representations of the mutual strength, legitimacy, and strategic benefits conferred by the alliance between the two monarchs. Dürer’s sophisticated handling of line and composition ensures that even highly detailed historical subjects remain engaging artworks, cementing his reputation across Europe as the defining graphic artist of his generation.

This important work from 1515 is preserved within the prestigious collection of the Rijksmuseum. The widespread circulation of prints allowed masterworks like this to reach a broad audience, helping to solidify the public image of the imperial powers involved. The enduring significance of this artwork means that high-quality reproductions are often available through public domain sources, allowing researchers and art enthusiasts globally to access Dürer's technical mastery of the printed medium.