Arkivism
Coat of Arms with a Peasant Standing on his Head
Public domain

Coat of Arms with a Peasant Standing on his Head

Meester van het Amsterdamse Kabinet · 1485 - 1490 · drypoint; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The coat of arms shows a peasant standing on his head, viewing the world upside down. Above the shield another peasant is being ridden by his wife, while holding the distaff she uses for spinning. The reversal of the ‘natural’ order of things was a favourite theme during the late Middle Ages.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
printspindlearmorial bearing, heraldry
Credit lineCoat of Arms with a Peasant Standing on his Head. 1485 - 1490. Meester van het Amsterdamse Kabinet. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
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