5101 - Dürer, Albrecht

Dürer, Albrecht Emperor Maximilian’s Great Triumphal Chariot. Woodcut on 8 blocks, all mounted. 45.8 x 229.6 cm. 1522. B. 139, Meder 252, 1st–5th blocks: 5th edition, 1589, published by Jacobus Chinig, Venice; each with a watermark. Octagonal shield with the monogram SCG (Meder 338), 6th–8th blocks: 2nd edition, with Latin text, 1523, each with a watermark. Simple cross with a tripod (cf. Meder 146). This illustration, composed of eight blocks, was intended to be the main part of the triumphal procession initiated in 1512 by Emperor Maximilian himself, drawn by Dürer and engraved by Hieronymus Resch. However, it never appeared in any of the four editions of the complete work. In 1519, the emperor died while the blocks were being produced, and work came to a standstill for the time being. Dürer, who was in possession of the printing blocks, ultimately completed the project himself at his own expense. A complete copy of the giant woodcut, printed from 8 blocks, shown here in prints from the 5th and 2nd editions, both in Latin. Excellent and vigorous prints; in particular, the copies of the 2nd edition are also wonderfully clear, with margins; otherwise trimmed to the image or to the lower border. Some staining and isolated signs of wear; foxing; horizontal crease and fold marks along the three fold lines; partially rubbed and with some repairs and closed or secured edge tears at the joins; the outermost left corner has been restored, as are the right corner and the top center; mounted on very thin linen across the entire surface; further signs of handling, but otherwise very nicely preserved. Rare. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog. - Please ask for condition reports for individual lots, as the condition is usually not mentioned in the catalog.