Coat of Arms with a Skull, 1503

About the Work

Dürer formulated his response to the widespread heraldry fashion in a large and masterfully executed engraving. In the fifteenth century, the well-to-do town citizenry had taken to broadcasting its social ascent with coats of arms (see Master E.S., 33613, 33614, and Martin Schongauer, cat. 33775–33777, 33779, 33782, 33783)—actually a privilege of the aristocracy. The lady with the bridal crown thinks herself married into noble circles, but in fact is being caressed by a “wild man”. The skull in the shield refers to the transience and vanity of everything worldly.