Wapenschild van Frans Banningh Cocq 1648

Pieter Jansz. created this watercolor of the coat of arms of Frans Banningh Cocq. Frans was a prominent figure in 17th century Amsterdam, best known today as the central figure in Rembrandt's painting "The Night Watch." Coats of arms like this one were visual symbols of lineage and status in the Dutch Republic. They tell us about the social hierarchy in a time of great economic expansion, led by powerful merchant families. The swans on the crest and shield refer to Cocq's family name, while the lions likely connect to his family's civic role. The date suggests this was made just before Cocq became Captain of the Civic Guard, the militia group that commissioned "The Night Watch." Civic Guard membership was a key marker of social status and political power in the Dutch Republic. Historians use sources like family records, guild documents, and civic archives to understand the social and political context of artworks like this. Ultimately, works like this emblem reveal the importance of understanding art's social and institutional connections.