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Albrecht Dürer Collection
Great Triumphal Chariot Dürer worked on the Great Triumphal Chariot from 1512. His long-time collaborator, Willibald Pirckheimer, compiled the iconographic program of the image according to the ideas expressed by Emperor Maximilian.
Throughout the nearly 2.5m length of the image - comprising eight blocks - twelve horses pull the four-wheeled chariot on which Emperor Maximilian is seated. Maximilian is shown wearing the coronation mantle, and the imperial crown, holding the sceptre in his right hand and a palm branch in his left. Further imperial symbols - the sword and the imperial orb - are placed on a cushion in front of him. The horses and chariot are surrounded by 22 allegorical female figures - one of them, Victory, holds a wreath above Maximilian's head (the text on her wings refers to the Emperor's wars). The glorified Emperor is surrounded by four figures representing the four Virtues: Justice; Temperance; Fortitude; and Prudence. Each of the Virtues hold wreaths, which symbolise Justice, Gentleness, Goodness, Equality, Tenderness, Piety, Consideration and Steadfastness. On both sides, the chariot is followed by Virtues: Security; Confidence; Gravity; and Perseverance. It is driven to Ratio - the representative of Reason - with reins marked 'Nobility' and 'Power'. The four wheel symbolise Honour, Glory, Magnificence and Dignity. Lions, gryphons, eagles and dragons fill the chariot - which, itself, represents the Emperor's might (in addition to traditional representations of knightly symbols). Six further pairs of Virtues lead the horses: Providence and Moderation; Eagerness and Fitness; Firmness and Quickness; Virility and Keenness; Magnanimity and Courage; and, leading the procession, Experience and Cleverness.
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