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Artwork

Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece

Pierre Coustain

Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, by Pierre Coustain, oil
Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, by Pierre Coustain, oil

Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Pierre Coustain. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays the heraldic shield of Jacob of Luxemburg, Lord of Fiennes, presented in his role as a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece.

The painting portrays the heraldic shield of Jacob of Luxemburg, Lord of Fiennes, presented in his role as a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Its iconography features the distinctive symbols of that order, linking personal valor to the broader chivalric ideals of late medieval Europe. The work functions as a visual assertion of noble identity and the political prestige associated with membership in the Order, reflecting both individual lineage and the collective prestige of the fleece fellowship.

Symbolic elements such as the golden fleece itself serve to emphasize themes of loyalty, honor, and the sacred duty of knighthood, while the heraldic design underscores the sitter's aristocratic status and regional authority.

The composition thus operates on multiple levels: it celebrates the personal achievements of Jacob of Luxemburg while simultaneously invoking the collective symbolism of the Order, making the piece a nuanced statement on status, allegiance, and the visual language of medieval power structures.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting executed on wooden panel, measuring 101.1 cm in height by 67.5 cm in width. It depicts a shield associated with Jacob of Luxemburg, who held the title of Lord of Fiennes and served as a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The composition follows heraldic conventions, presenting the shield in a frontal orientation with symbolic motifs linked to his office within the chivalric order.

The surface retains original varnish and shows no significant craquelure or pigment loss, indicating stable handling and preservation. Stylistically, the piece reflects late 15th-century Netherlandish painting techniques, with fine brushwork and attention to surface detail characteristic of the period.

The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and is housed in Amsterdam, where it remains accessible for scholarly study and public exhibition.

History & Provenance

The shield depicting Jacob of Luxemburg, Lord of Fiennes, was created in 1481 by the artist Pierre Coustain. Executed as an oil painting on a panel, the work measures 101.1 cm in height and 67.5 cm in width. It was produced to represent the subject in his capacity as a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, functioning as a piece of heraldic art. The work is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

The shield of Jacob of Luxemburg is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work, created by Pierre Coustain in 1481, is cataloged within the museum's holdings as a painting on panel executed in oil. As a piece of heraldic art, it remains part of the institution's permanent display inventory.

The specific accession details and exhibition history are not provided in the available records, though the work is definitively located at the Rijksmuseum.

Overview

Created in 1491 by Pierre Coustain, a court artist serving Philip the Good, this oil painting portrays the personal heraldic shield of Jacob of Luxemburg, Lord of Fiennes. The work exemplifies the Northern Renaissance’s attention to detail and material richness, and it is presently part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.

Context

The depiction aligns with the late fifteenth‑century Burgundian fascination with chivalric orders, particularly the Order of the Golden Fleece, founded by Philip the Good. Such heraldic representations served both as personal insignia and as visual affirmations of loyalty to the ducal court.

Shield of Edward IV (1442-1483), king of England, in his capacity as knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece
Shield of Edward IV (1442-1483), king of England, in his capacity as knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece, Pierre Coustain

Artist & collection

Artist

Pierre Coustain

Pierre Coustain was a painter and sculptor at the Court of Philip the Good. His name occurs in the records of the brotherhood of St. Luke at Bruges in the year 1450 as Painter Royal.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Rijksmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Rijksmuseum. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece?

Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece was painted by Pierre Coustain.

Where can I see Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece?

Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece?

Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece?

Museum-quality prints of Shield of Jacob of Luxemburg (after 1441-1488), Lord of Fiennes, in his capacity as knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.