Wapenschild van Jacob van Harencarspel 1660 - 1672

Pieter Jansz. made this watercolor drawing of the coat of arms of Jacob van Harencarspel, a member of the Dutch gentry, in the seventeenth century. Heraldry, the practice of designing, displaying, and recording coats of arms, became popular among the European upper classes in the medieval period as a means of visual identification and a symbol of family lineage. By the 17th Century, it was still used to assert social status in the newly independent Dutch Republic. The specific symbols included, such as the birds, stars and colors, had particular meanings. The creation and regulation of heraldry were heavily influenced by social and political institutions. Guilds of heralds were formed to standardize the practice, and governments often established official heraldic authorities to grant and regulate the use of coats of arms. Examining these symbols and their social context allows us to understand the values and aspirations of individuals, families, and even entire societies. This reminds us of the importance of historical research in the interpretation of art.