The Pedestal of the Central Portal with Figures of Two Archdukes of Austria, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Pedestal of the Portal with Figures of Two Archdukes of Austria*, striking woodcut proof from the *Arch of Honor*, dated 5 and printed around 1517–18. Crafted by Hieronymuse, a skilled sculptor who contributed designs, and Hans Springink, a talented engraver from Albrecht Dürer's workshop, this sheet measures an impressive 18⅜ × 24½ inches. It captures the base of the arch's central portal, featuring noble figures of two Archdukes—likely Emperor Maximilian I and his son Ferdinand—symbolizing Habsburg power and lineage. This artwork forms part of Dürer's epic *Triumphal Arch*, a colossal propaganda print commissioned by Maximilian I to immortalize his achievements. Composed of 36 large woodblocks, the full arch spanned over 10 feet when assembled, making it one of the largest prints ever produced. Printed posthumously after Maximilian's death in 1519, it celebrated the Holy Roman Emperor's military triumphs, genealogy, and imperial glory during the Northern Renaissance, blending Gothic grandeur with emerging humanist ideals. As a proof impression, this rare early state reveals the woodcut's intricate carving technique, where artists like Springinklee meticulously incised details into wooden blocks for mass reproduction. Its monumental scale and fine detailing highlight woodcuts' evolution from humble illustrations to vehicles of state prestige, offering visitors a tangible glimpse into 16th-century printmaking innovation and royal self-fashioning at the Met's Drawings and Prints collection.

About the Artist

Hieronymus Andreae|Hans Springinklee (German|German) · 1525 |1495 –1556 |1530

German, Bad Mergentheim ca. 1485–1556 Nuremberg|German, ca. 1495–after 1522