Coat of Arms with Lion and Rooster

The Coat of Arms with Lion and Rooster is a seminal engraving created by the German master Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) between 1498 and 1508. This impressive work, executed in black ink on ivory laid paper, showcases the technical brilliance that established Dürer as the preeminent printmaker of the Northern Renaissance. The composition is meticulous, utilizing the sharp burin to achieve fine gradations of tone and texture essential to the German print tradition.

The piece depicts a complex heraldic shield surmounted by an elaborate helmet, crest, and mantle. The coat of arms itself features a rampant lion on the viewer's left and a spirited rooster on the right, animals traditionally associated with courage, vigilance, and strength in Renaissance iconography. This emphasis on status and personal symbolism reflects the common practice of wealthy patrons in Nuremberg commissioning Dürer to produce high-quality prints that affirmed their lineage and social standing across Germany. The detailed execution of the animal forms and the carefully rendered drapery above the crest exemplifies the period’s fusion of Renaissance classical influence with highly developed Northern European naturalism.

This exceptional example of Dürer’s artistry is currently held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The dating places this work during the height of the artist’s prolific career as he cemented his reputation across Europe. The enduring quality and technical execution make it one of the most significant 15th-century prints available for study. Today, due to the work's historical importance, high-resolution images of the Coat of Arms with Lion and Rooster are often made accessible for scholarship through various public domain initiatives, ensuring the enduring legacy of Dürer as a pivotal artistic innovator.