Twee putti bij een wapenschild 1608 - 1688

Claude Mellan created this print of two putti by a coat-of-arms, date unknown, using engraving techniques. This image is replete with the visual language of power and lineage, common among European aristocracy. Made in France, this print presents a fascinating insight into the ways families visually asserted their status. The coat-of-arms at the center acts as a symbol, a kind of brand that denoted the family’s history, achievements, and social standing. Mellan employs putti, those chubby cherubic figures, to flank the shield. The putti are seemingly innocent, but they played a critical role in these displays, suggesting divine favor bestowed upon the family. The helmet above the shield, along with floral ornaments, further enriches the heraldic display. Understanding this print requires an appreciation for the visual and social codes of the time. Art historians use resources from genealogical records to studies of aristocratic culture to better interpret prints like this one. In this way, the image becomes a window into the complex social structures of the past.