Coat of arms with Three Lions' Heads

The Coat of arms with Three Lions' Heads is a striking example of German Renaissance graphic arts, executed by the master Albrecht Dürer. Created as a woodcut, a medium Dürer fundamentally revolutionized, this piece demonstrates the artist’s unique capacity to combine detailed linework with powerful symbolic design. Although the precise commission details are unknown, the work was produced sometime during the highly productive period spanning 1485 to 1528, a time when Dürer was pioneering the use of prints for broad distribution and specialized patronage.

The subject matter centers entirely on heraldry. The composition features a meticulously rendered coat of arms, complete with an elaborate helmet, crest, and mantling, all framed by decorative strapwork. The shield itself is dominated by the powerful motif of the three lions' heads, symbols often used in European heraldry to represent nobility, strength, and valor. Unlike his narrative and religious prints, this work belongs to a category of applied art, reflecting the importance of public insignia for defining personal or familial identity during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Dürer’s ability to imbue the technical demands of heraldic representation with artistic dynamism is evident in every crisp line of the woodcut.

This fine impression resides within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serving as a key illustration of Dürer’s mastery over graphic media. As one of the most celebrated and historically significant figures of the Northern Renaissance, Dürer’s output of prints is widely studied globally. Like many of his renowned graphic compositions, this piece is frequently referenced by scholars and is now considered part of the public domain.