Wapen met een klimmende leeuw op een schild 1544

Sebald Beham created this coat-of-arms print on paper sometime in the first half of the 16th century. Beham was a German printmaker and painter, operating during the tumultuous years of the Reformation. This piece presents a classic symbol of power and lineage. The lion rampant on the shield, the helmet, and the crest of wings all speak to established heraldic traditions. But look closer: the inscription in German encircling the image suggests this is not merely a symbol of nobility, but a personal motto. The words imply a divine grace bestowed upon the Weiss family, suggesting that their status is divinely ordained. As the Reformation swept through Europe, ideas about authority and social hierarchy were hotly contested. Beham himself was exiled for his radical beliefs. In this context, the print invites us to reflect on how families like the Weiss's sought to legitimize their power during a time of immense social and religious change. What does it mean to claim divine favor in an era of upheaval? How might the emotional resonance of family identity and pride be amplified when the old order is crumbling?