10. The Triumph of Maximilian (Triumphal Arch)
Aiming to draw support for his regime and instill fear in the hearts of his enemies, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian commissioned the Triumphal Arch — a woodcut print chronicling his ancestry, lands, accomplishments, deeds, talents, and interests. Created mainly by Albrecht Durer, the Triumphal Arch is one of the largest prints ever produced, having been created on 36 large sheets of paper from 195 separate woodblocks.
Throughout the piece, some of the most important iconographic symbols include busts of Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great to demonstrate Maximilian’s illustrious lineage and shields with the coats of arms of Stabius, Kolderer, and Durer — three of the principal architects and creators of the print. First printed in 1517, two separate editions were reprinted after. The version of Triumphal Arch on display is from the third and last edition.
