Wapen van de notarissen van het Châtelet in Parijs met personificaties van het Goede Geloof en de Wet

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 240

Art Historical Context

Claude Mellan's *Wapen van de notar van het Châtelet Parijs met personific van het Goede Gof en de Wet* (Arms of the Notaries the Châtelet in with Personifications of Good Faith and the Law created in 1664, is a finely wrought engraving measuring 160mm by 308mm. This work captures the official coat of arms of the notaries associated with Paris's historic Châtelet, a medieval fortress that doubled as a major royal court and prison. Flanking the heraldic emblem are allegorical figures embodying *Bona Fides* (Good Faith), often depicted with symbols of trust like clasped hands, and *Lex* (the Law), representing justice and legal authority—core virtues for notaries who drafted vital legal documents. As a master engraver of the Baroque era, Mellan was celebrated for his extraordinary line work and precision, techniques that shine in this piece through intricate cross-hatching and delicate detailing. Engravings like this were essential in 17th-century France for officially disseminating coats of arms, ensuring their accurate reproduction for legal and ceremonial use. The verso bears a collector's mark (Lugt 240), hinting at its prized status among connoisseurs. This artwork offers a window into the symbolic world of ancien régime institutions, blending heraldry, allegory, and technical brilliance to honor the guardians of Parisian law.

About the Artist

Claude Mellan · 1598–1688

Claude Mellan (1598-1688) was a French draughtsman, engraver, and painter who became one of the most innovative printmakers of the French Baroque period. Born in Abbeville to a family of coppersmiths, Mellan rose to become Peintre et Graveur Ordinaire du Roi (Painter and Engraver in Ordinary to the King), achieving recognition for his extraordinary technical mastery. Mellan's artistic significanc...