1485
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Coat of Arms with Tumbling Boy is a 1485 ink by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a boy tumbling headfirst from a shield, surrounded by fancy scrollwork. Below him, a man in armor holds a spear, looking up. The whole scene is black and white, with sharp lines that make the figures look like they’re moving. The boy’s wild fall might symbolize something—maybe carelessness or a warning. The shield and armor suggest this could be about family pride or danger. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints with just metal and ink.
Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…
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