Artwork
Coat of Arms of the Kress von Kressenstein Family
Coat of Arms of the Kress von Kressenstein Family is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Around 1530 the German printmaker Sebald Beham produced a woodcut representing the heraldic emblem of the Kress von Kressenstein family. Executed in the characteristic fine line work of Beham’s prints, the image combines a crown, three round shields linked by ribbons, and a sword laid across the composition, all rendered with intricate vegetal motifs and swirling ornamentation.
Subject & Meaning
The design functions as a visual statement of lineage, displaying the family’s coat of arms in a formal arrangement.
The design functions as a visual statement of lineage, displaying the family’s coat of arms in a formal arrangement. The crown denotes noble status, while the trio of shields—each adorned with stylised flowers, leaves and wave‑like scrolls—communicates the heraldic symbols associated with the Kress von Kressenstein lineage. The sword behind the devices reinforces notions of martial honor and protection.
Technique & Style
Beham employed the woodcut method, carving the image in relief on a wooden block, inking the raised surfaces, and pressing the block onto paper. This allowed for the crisp, high‑contrast lines and the dense, decorative patterns typical of early‑Renaissance German prints. The work exemplifies the “Little Masters” aesthetic: meticulous detail rendered on a relatively small scale, suitable for inclusion in books or as a standalone emblem.
History & Provenance
Sebald Beham, a native of Nuremberg, was a prominent member of the so‑called Little Masters, a circle of artists noted for their finely executed prints and book illustrations. The coat of arms was likely commissioned by the Kress von Kressenstein family to affirm their status and to be reproduced in documents or decorative panels. The print survives in several museum collections, attesting to its continued relevance as a record of 16th‑century German heraldry.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
