Coat-of-Arms of Du Rollet, de la Croisette - Jérome David

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Jérome David featuring the armorial bearings of the Du Rollet family, supported by two griffins.

This etching by the French printmaker Jérome David depicts the armorial bearings of the Du Rollet family. David, active during the seventeenth century, produced a significant body of work including portraits and heraldic illustrations. His technique demonstrates the precision characteristic of the period, utilising controlled hatching to define form and texture.

The composition centres on a shield divided into quarters, featuring unicorns and geometric crosses. The shield is supported by two griffins, mythical creatures with the bodies of lions and the heads and wings of eagles. These figures stand upon rocky outcrops, their muscular forms rendered with anatomical detail. The entire arrangement is framed by a rope-like border, topped with a coronet, and suspended with a small pendant medallion at the base. The background consists of subtle horizontal lines, which provide a neutral field for the heraldic elements.

Heraldic prints of this era were often commissioned for family records, books, or genealogical documentation. They reflect the social structures of the seventeenth century, where lineage and status were communicated through visual symbols. David’s work captures the formal requirements of heraldry while incorporating the decorative sensibilities of the Baroque style. The balance between the rigid geometry of the shield and the dynamic, organic forms of the griffins creates a structured visual narrative. This print offers a glimpse into the technical standards of seventeenth-century printmaking, where the engraver's skill was essential for the accurate reproduction of complex family emblems. The clarity of the lines and the deliberate shading ensure that each component of the coat-of-arms remains legible, adhering to the conventions of the time.