Coat of Arms of the Kress von Kressenstein Family

About this work

This image shows a fancy coat of arms with lots of swirling designs. At the top sits a crown, and below it are three round shields connected by ribbons. The shields have intricate patterns—flowers, leaves, and wavy lines. A sword crosses behind everything, and the whole thing looks like it’s carved into wood. The artist used a technique called woodcut, where the design is carved into wood and then inked. This kind of detailed work was common in the Renaissance, when people liked showing off family symbols. Want to see more? Check out the technique: woodcut.