Vignet met een wapen met daarop het silhouet van een leeuw 1836 - 1912

Isaac Weissenbruch created this unnamed print of a heraldic lion, sometime in the 19th century. The image speaks to the powerful symbolism of heraldry within the social fabric of the time. Heraldic symbols like this lion were tools for families to display their lineage and status. However, they also played a significant role in shaping national identity. This print allows us to consider how symbols become entwined with the construction of ideas of nationhood. Weissenbruch was part of the Hague School, a group of artists who sought to capture the character of Dutch life. This vignette, with its stylized lion, reflects the historical depth and cultural pride that artists like Weissenbruch felt connected to. Consider how heraldry evokes a sense of pride and belonging, while at the same time, it may exclude those who don't have connections to a shared history.