Explanatory Text, Part III,from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18

Art Historical Context

This striking woodcut and letterpress print, titled *Explanatory Text, Part III, from the Arch of Honor*, was created as a proof in 151 and printed between 1517 and 1518. Measuring over 18 by 25 inches, it served as an integral textual component of a much larger commemorative project. The combination of carved woodblock imagery and movable type reflects the innovative printing techniques of the early sixteenth century, allowing for both visual grandeur precise explanatory content to reach a wide audience. The work is attributed to Johann Neudörffer the Elder, a renowned calligrapher, and Hieronymus Andreae, a skilled block cutter. Their collaboration highlights the specialized division of labor in Renaissance print workshops, where lettering and imagery were often produced by different experts. As a proof impression, this sheet offers valuable insight into the production process, capturing the artwork in an intermediate stage before final publication. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this piece exemplifies how prints functioned as both art and communication tools during this period. Its crisp lines and integrated text demonstrate the technical sophistication that made large-scale projects like the *Arch of Honor* possible, preserving imperial achievements for posterity.