Who painted The Coat of Arms of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau?

The Coat of Arms of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau was painted by Hans Burgkmair the Elder in 1503.

Where can I see The Coat of Arms of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau?

The Coat of Arms of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Coat of Arms of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau?

The Coat of Arms of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Coat of Arms of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau

Hans Burgkmair the Elder , 1503

The Coat of Arms of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hans Burgkmair the Elder. It dates from 1503 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This 1503 woodcut on laid paper, attributed to Hans Burgkmair I, depicts the heraldic emblem of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau.

About this work

This woodcut shows a bishop’s coat of arms with a bishop’s staff and a frog on a shield, all outlined in black and colored by hand. The frog is the odd detail—it’s a pun on the bishop’s name, which means “little frog” in German.

The print is from 1503, over 500 years old. Hand coloring makes each copy unique.

Try looking up woodcut prints by Albrecht Dürer next.

Overview

This 1503 woodcut on laid paper, attributed to Hans Burgkmair I, depicts the heraldic emblem of Wigeleus von Fröschel, Bishop of Passau. The print combines black outlines with hand coloring, resulting in unique variations across copies.

Subject & Meaning

The coat of arms features a bishop’s staff and a frog on a shield. The frog is a visual pun referencing the bishop’s surname, 'Fröschel', which translates to 'little frog' in German, adding a layer of personal symbolism to the heraldic design.

Technique & Style

Executed in woodcut, a technique popular during the Renaissance, the piece showcases precise black outlines. The addition of hand coloring introduces a tactile, individualized quality to each printed copy.

History & Provenance

Created in 1503, this print is over 500 years old. While the current location and full ownership history are not specified, its age and attribution to Burgkmair I underscore its historical significance within 16th-century German printmaking.

Context

Contemporaneous with the works of Albrecht Dürer, this woodcut reflects the flourishing of woodcut printing in early 16th-century Germany. Comparisons with Dürer’s woodcuts can provide insight into the stylistic and technical currents of the time.