Artwork

The Triumphal Chariot of Maximilian I (The Great Triumphal Car) [plate 2 of 8]

The Triumphal Chariot of Maximilian I (The Great Triumphal Car) [plate 2 of 8] is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1523 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s 1523 woodcut, the second of an eight‑plate series, presents a grand triumphal chariot. Executed in the intricate woodcut technique, the image centers on a richly ornamented vehicle surrounded by horses and attendants, illustrating a ceremonial procession.

Subject & Meaning

The composition celebrates a triumphal carriage, a motif associated with imperial power and victory. Figures and banners encircling the chariot convey a sense of pageantry, reflecting the political aspirations of Maximilian I and the broader humanist interest in classical triumphs.

Technique & Style

Dürer employs fine line work characteristic of his mature woodcut practice, achieving detailed carving of ornamental panels, textiles, and animal forms. The contrast of deep blacks and delicate hatching creates a sense of depth and texture uncommon in earlier prints.

History & Provenance

Created in 1523, the print formed part of Dürer’s larger project to commemorate Maximilian I’s reign. The series was circulated among courtly patrons and later entered museum collections, where it has been preserved as a key example of early 16th‑century German printmaking.

Context

The work belongs to a period when Dürer explored large‑scale narrative cycles, integrating Renaissance humanist ideals with Northern artistic traditions. Its production coincided with a resurgence of interest in imperial iconography across the Holy Roman Empire.