Blazoen van het St Lucasgild te Antwerpen 1526

This is Dirck Vellert’s "Blazon of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp" made in 1526. As we observe this print, its detailed structure and composition immediately capture our attention. The symmetrical arrangement, with its dense layers of symbols and ornamental motifs, seems to construct a world within the frame. Here, each element, from the heraldic devices to the architectural framework, is meticulously rendered. Vellert employs line and form not merely to depict, but to build a complex visual language. The crest, filled with symbolic imagery, uses signs to tell a story of identity, purpose, and status. Looking closely, the intricate details serve a purpose beyond aesthetics. They point to the historical and cultural context in which the work was produced. The Blazon’s form is far from arbitrary; its symmetry and detail reflect the Guild's value of order and craftsmanship, speaking to the societal structures of its time.