Regels van het wapenschild 1645

This is Samuel Bernard’s etching, "Rules of the Coat of Arms," made in the late 17th or early 18th century. It’s printed on paper, a relatively new and increasingly accessible material at the time. The etching process itself—cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper—allows for the reproduction of images on a mass scale. This print democratizes the knowledge of heraldry. What was once confined to the aristocracy is now disseminated widely. The very act of replicating and distributing these coats of arms challenges their inherent exclusivity. The print becomes a commodity, a product of labor, making it available for consumption, and eroding the symbolic power of the aristocracy. It's a fascinating example of how a method of production can transform social structures. By understanding the print’s materials and techniques, we see how it blurs the lines between art, craft, and social commentary.