Coat of Arms of the Passion
1458
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1458
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Coat of Arms of the Passion is a 1458 ink by Master E.S., a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a busy, symbolic scene with lots of figures and animals packed together. In the center, a lamb lies on the ground while a winged creature holds a cross-topped staff. Around them, angels with halos and other strange, winged beings float or kneel. Some figures hold strange objects like a jar and a ladder, while others gesture upward. The background has a wavy, cloud-like border, and the whole scene is drawn with sharp, dark lines. The artist used a technique called cross-hatching to build up shadows and details. Look closely at how the lines overlap to create darker areas—it’s a way to add depth without color. Next, check out engraving to see how artists like this one carved images into metal.
