Coat of Arms with a Peasant Standing on his Head 1485 - 1490

This print, *Coat of Arms with a Peasant Standing on his Head*, was made by the Master of the Amsterdam Cabinet using the technique of drypoint, sometime in the late fifteenth century. Drypoint is an intaglio printmaking process, meaning that lines are incised into a metal plate with a sharp needle. Unlike engraving, which removes material, drypoint simply displaces it, creating a burr along the groove. When printed, this burr gives the lines a soft, velvety quality. The image, a complex and somewhat satirical scene, shows a topsy-turvy world where a peasant literally stands on his head, supporting a shield. Atop this precarious structure, another peasant carries a flag, while a woman spins thread. The artist's skilled use of line creates a rich texture, emphasizing the strained muscles of the lower figure and the delicate fabrics of the others. The choice of drypoint, with its inherent softness, adds a layer of irony to the scene. The print suggests that social hierarchies are unstable, and even absurd, built on the backs of those who labor. It invites us to consider the relationship between labor, status, and the systems of power that shape our world.