Dürer’s paper triumph: the arch of the Emperor Maximilian

Interesting exhibition at the British Museum looking in detail at the Arch of the Emperor Maximillian by Durer the most ambitious print ever produced in the Western world.

It took three years to produce and is on 36 sheets of paper. Commissioned in 1512 the arch itself was never built but the print was used to advertise Maximillian’s achievements and copies were given as gifts to other rulers.

It was wonderful to see this print properly as it is usually shown in a corridor by the print gallery as it is almost too big to exhibit. It was good to be able to stand back from it and get a good long view but also to go up close and look at all the wonderful details.

I love all the figures sitting in the arches to the sides and the empty arches waiting for their spectators. No space is left undecorated or used, there are even figures peeking out from behind columns and animals investigating the bottom of the arch.

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