Wapenschild met de Arma Christi 1475 - 1480

This engraving, “Wapenschild met de Arma Christi”, was made by the Master of the Amsterdam Cabinet, and presents a shield bearing symbols associated with the Passion of Christ. Made in the Netherlands, sometime in the late 15th century, it is a powerful statement on suffering and redemption. We see the instruments used in the crucifixion: the crown of thorns, the lance, and the cross itself. Framing the shield are mourning figures and angels, signifying divine grief and witness to the event. This image would have resonated deeply in a society where religious identity was bound up with everyday life. The institutions of the church, the guilds, and the family would all have reinforced these associations of faith. To fully understand this image, art historians might explore the religious history of the period, consulting theological texts, sermons, and devotional guides, to trace the evolution of passion imagery and its meanings for different audiences. The meaning of art is always dependent on its social and institutional context.