Artwork

Wapenbord met de wapens van Boudaen en Fourmenois, 1623 (het wapen van Fourmenois omgewend)

Wapenbord met de wapens van Boudaen en Fourmenois, 1623 (het wapen van Fourmenois omgewend) is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Unknown. It dates from 1623 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is a copper plate dated 1623 that displays two oval heraldic shields.

About this work

Overview

The work is a copper plate dated 1623 that displays two oval heraldic shields. Each shield bears a distinct composition and color scheme, set against a uniform brown ground. The left shield combines green and gold fields with a white chevron‑like form and a central flower, framed by black and gold foliage. The right shield presents a gold and black field topped with a stylized head silhouette.

Subject & Meaning

The piece functions as a heraldic display, representing the arms of the Boudaen and Fourmenois families. The juxtaposition of the two emblems suggests a connection—perhaps marital or political—between the lineages, with the reversed Fourmenois device indicating a specific heraldic convention.

Technique & Style

Executed on copper, the artist employed fine engraving or painting techniques to achieve crisp lines and subtle tonal shifts. The work utilizes chiaroscuro, contrasting light and dark areas to model the shields and their decorative elements, creating a sense of depth on the metal surface.

History & Provenance

Created in the early seventeenth century, the copper plate bears the date 1623, situating it within the period of Dutch and Flemish heraldic art. Its provenance traces to collections that documented the coats of arms of regional noble families, though specific ownership records are limited.

Context

Heraldic panels such as this were commonly produced for display in noble households, on seals, or as commemorative objects. The use of copper as a support reflects a tradition of durable, high‑detail works intended for both decorative and documentary purposes.