Twee gekroonde wapenschilden 1630 - 1672

Pieter Jansz created this drawing of two crowned coats-of-arms. They're emblems of authority and lineage, reflecting the hierarchical society of the Dutch Golden Age. Made in the Netherlands, probably around the mid-17th century, these shields were more than mere decoration. They visually reinforced the power and status of noble families in a society undergoing rapid transformation. The symbols—crowns, crosses, and heraldic animals—are visual codes that were immediately readable to contemporaries familiar with the nuances of social rank. The drawing’s creation was likely commissioned, perhaps by a family seeking to solidify its place in the social order, or as part of a larger decorative or archival project. Historians consult genealogical records, period documents, and art inventories to decode these shields. The meaning of art is contingent on its social context.