Who painted Bookplate: Coat of Arms with Benjamin Greene inscribed?

Bookplate: Coat of Arms with Benjamin Greene inscribed was painted by Nathaniel Hurd in 1764.

Where can I see Bookplate: Coat of Arms with Benjamin Greene inscribed?

Bookplate: Coat of Arms with Benjamin Greene inscribed is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Bookplate: Coat of Arms with Benjamin Greene inscribed

Bookplate: Coat of Arms with Benjamin Greene inscribed is a print by Nathaniel Hurd. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this bookplate, you might want to look up Nathaniel Hurd (American, 1730–1778).

This image shows a bookplate with a coat of arms. The coat of arms features a shield with three deer and a deer with antlers above it. The shield is surrounded by decorative swirls and the name "Benjamin Greene" is written below it.

The bookplate has a classic design and the use of a coat of arms suggests that it was created for a person of importance or nobility. The inclusion of the name "Benjamin Greene" provides a personal touch to the design.

If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this bookplate, you might want to look up Nathaniel Hurd (American, 1730–1778).

Overview

This printed bookplate, executed by Nathaniel Hurd around 1764, presents a heraldic composition centered on a shield populated by three deer and a single stag bearing antlers above them. The design is framed by ornamental scrollwork, and the owner’s name, Benjamin Greene, appears beneath the emblem. The piece is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif draws on traditional heraldic symbolism, where deer often signify peace, swiftness, and noble lineage. By arranging three deer on the shield and a stag above, the design emphasizes both abundance and hierarchical status, reinforcing the owner’s claim to a distinguished family identity.

Technique & Style

Hurd employed a fine engraving technique typical of mid‑eighteenth‑century American printmaking, rendering crisp line work and delicate ornamental swirls. The balanced composition and restrained decorative elements reflect the neoclassical taste of the period, while the clear lettering of the name demonstrates a functional yet elegant approach to personal branding.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1764, the bookplate was likely commissioned for the private library of Benjamin Greene, a figure of some social standing. It later entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings, where it serves as a representative example of early American printed ephemera.

Context

During the colonial era, bookplates functioned as markers of ownership and status, often incorporating family coats of arms. Hurd, an active Boston engraver, produced a range of such items, contributing to the visual culture of literacy and personal prestige in pre‑Revolutionary America.