Bookplate: Coat of Arms with Theodore Atkinson inscribed

1764

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Bookplate: Coat of Arms with Theodore Atkinson inscribed is a 1764 by Nathaniel Hurd, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Nathaniel Hurd
When & what style?: 1764
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This black-and-white drawing shows a fancy coat of arms with a bird perched at the top. Inside the shield are four small shapes that look like people or animals. Swirls, leaves, and flowers frame the whole thing, and the name "Theodore Atkinson" is written in cursive below. The bird on top is often called a supporter in heraldry—it’s there to hold up the shield. This kind of design was usually made for books to mark who owned them. Next, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see more prints like this.