The Upper Section of the Entryway to the Central Portal with a Winged Figure Holding the Imperial Crown, from the Arch of Honor, proof, dated 1515, printed 1517-18

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints collection, where we encounter *The Upper Section of theway to the Central Portal a Winged Figure Holding Imperial Crown*, a remarkable proof from Albrecht Dürer's monumental *Arch of Honor* series. Dated 1515 and printed between 1517 and 1518, this woodcut letterpress print captures the grandeur of a triumphal arch designed to honor Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I his funeral procession. Collaboratively crafted by Dürer—a master of the Northern Renaissance—with Hans Springinklee, Wolf Traut, and Hieronymus Andreae, it exemplifies the era's fusion of imperial propaganda and exquisite printmaking. At its heart, the composition features a majestic winged figure cradling the imperial crown above the central portal's upper section, symbolizing divine authority and eternal glory. This intricate detail is part of Dürer's colossal *Arch of Honor*, one of the largest woodcuts ever produced, assembled from 192 separate blocks to form a 10-foot-high imaginary monument. The proof state offers a rare glimpse into the production process, showcasing the precision of woodcarving techniques that allowed for fine lines and textures on such a grand scale (18 3/8 × 24 7/16 in.). Dürer's innovative use of woodcut elevated the medium from mere illustration to high art, blending Gothic detail with emerging Renaissance humanism. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1928, this piece invites us to marvel at how prints democratized imperial splendor, making royal pomp accessible to all.

About the Artist

Albrecht Dürer|Hans Springinklee|Wolf Traut|Hieronymus Andreae · 1471–1528

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) stands as the preeminent figure of the Northern Renaissance and arguably the most influential artist in the history of printmaking. Born in Nuremberg on May 21, 1471, and dying in the same city on April 6, 1528, Dürer revolutionized the status of the artist in Northern Europe, transforming printmaking from a commercial craft into an independent fine art and establishing ...