The First Flemish Rebellion; The Campaign Against Liège; The Coronation of Maximilian; The Second Flemish Rebellion; The Alliance Between Philip I of Castile and Henry VII; The Victory Against France, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18

Art Historical Context

Behold this impressive woodcut sheet from Albrecht Dürer's monumental *Arch of Honor*, collaborative triumph of early 16th-century printmaking. Dated 1515 as a proof and printed between 1517-18, it features intricate designs by Dürer alongside workshop talents Wolf Traut, Hieronym Andreae, and Hansinklee. Measuring nearly 25 inches wide, this single sheet captures six dramatic vignettes: the First and Second Flemish Rebell, the Campaign Against Li, Maximilian I's Coronation, the between Philip I of Castile and Henry VII, and the Victory Against France. Commissioned to glorify Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, the *Arch of Honor* was a propaganda masterpiece—a massive, foldable print evoking a Roman triumphal arch to celebrate his military and diplomatic feats during turbulent times of rebellion and rivalry in the Low Countries and beyond. Woodcuts like this allowed for grand-scale dissemination of imperial glory across Europe, blending historical narrative with Renaissance humanism. The medium's genius lies in its woodcut and letterpress technique: finely carved blocks yielded rich, detailed black-line imagery, while integrated text added epic commentary. Dürer's Northern Renaissance precision shines through in the dynamic compositions, making complex history accessible and visually thrilling. A rare proof, this piece from The Met's collection offers a window into the era's fusion of art, politics, and power.