Coat of Arms of a Cardinal of the Sampieri Family

Art Historical Context

This elegant engraving by Agostino Carracci captures the heraldic crest of a cardinal from Bologna’s Sampieri family, created between 1590 and 1595. Carracci, a leading figure of the Bolognese school alongside his brother Annibale and cousin Ludovico, helped steer Italian art away from late Mannerist artificiality toward greater naturalism and clarity. Though best known for his paintings and collaborative fresco projects, he was also a masterful printmaker whose engravings circulated widely among collectors and scholars. Measuring just 5½ by 4⅛ inches, the print showcases Carracci’s precise line work and economical use of hatching to model form and texture. The inclusion of dogs—prominent in the Sampieri arms—adds a lively, almost narrative touch to the otherwise formal heraldic composition, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with personal and familial symbolism within the Catholic Church. As a reproductive medium, engraving allowed such insignia to reach audiences beyond Bologna, underscoring the era’s growing interest in portable art and ecclesiastical prestige. Today, the work offers visitors a glimpse into the intersection of family identity, religious authority, and artistic innovation at the close of the sixteenth century.

About the Artist

Agostino Carracci · 1557–1602

Agostino left his profession as a tailor to become an artist. His earliest works were engravings, which was an extremely profitable practice and he was famed for having attained new heights of perfection. He was also a skilled painter and collaborated with his famous relations on various commisions. Comment on works: Religious; Portraits.