Arms of Rohrbach and Holzhausen c. 1480 - 1490

Master BG, active in the 15th and 16th centuries, created this metalcut print depicting the “Arms of Rohrbach and Holzhausen”. Heraldry was important in establishing family lineage and privilege. Coats of arms served as visual markers of identity. In this case it is the joining of two families through marriage. Here, we see a male and female figure, each holding a shield representing their family’s lineage, framing a central helmet. This print tells us a lot about gender roles of the time. Women are presented as symbols of family, lineage, and property within a patriarchal system. The male figure, adorned in more elaborate attire, stands as a protector and representative of his lineage. The contrast between the figures reflects the societal expectations placed upon men and women during the late medieval and early Renaissance periods. The “Arms of Rohrbach and Holzhausen” thus becomes a powerful commentary on identity, gender, and power. Its emotional resonance lies in its ability to evoke a sense of history, tradition, and the complexities inherent in the construction of identity.