Wapenschild van de familie Overlander 1660 - 1672

Editor: So, this is the “Wapenschild van de familie Overlander,” or the Overlander family coat of arms, by Pieter Jansz., made sometime between 1660 and 1672 using ink and watercolor. I find it quaintly ornate, yet the pale washes lend a sense of fragility. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: Oh, “quaintly ornate,” I love that! For me, it's the symbolism whispering across the centuries. Heraldry was serious business, a visual resume, you might say, back then. Think about what these elements—the swan, the lion, the colours—would have conveyed to contemporaries. What stories did the Overlanders want to tell about themselves? The slightly naive rendering also hints at a smaller scale workshop. I wonder, was this for public display or private reflection? Editor: That’s interesting! It does feel very personal somehow, not quite as imposing as other family crests I’ve seen. Almost... humble? The swan makes me think of poetry, not exactly battlefield prowess. Curator: Exactly! Forget fire-breathing dragons. Perhaps this reflects mercantile success and a gentler claim to fame. It makes you rethink everything when those traditional markers aren’t as obvious. See that inscription below, what does it tell you? What's in a name, and a good motto? Editor: According to the OCR, the last word is "Overlander", probably signing off the artwork and acknowledging who the crest belongs to. Curator: Wonderful! A good artist and a satisfied patron, united. And a puzzle for us to still unpack centuries later. The joy of art history, isn't it? Editor: Definitely! It's like deciphering a visual code, one swan and lion at a time. Curator: Precisely! Now go forth and decode all the heraldry. The world awaits!