Wapenschil met devies - Johannes de Mare

A precise nineteenth-century Dutch engraving of a heraldic coat of arms, featuring two wild men supporters and the Latin motto 'Nec timide nec tumide'.

This engraving by Johannes de Mare presents a formal heraldic composition, typical of the early nineteenth-century Dutch tradition. The central shield, or escutcheon, features a chevron flanked by floral motifs, surmounted by a coronet and a closed helmet. The entire arrangement is supported by two wild men, or 'woodwoses', who stand upon a plinth. Each figure holds a club over their shoulder, a common motif in European heraldry representing strength and the untamed natural world. Below the plinth, a ribbon displays the Latin motto 'NEC TIMIDE NEC TUMIDE', which translates to 'Neither timidly nor arrogantly'.

Johannes de Mare was a skilled engraver whose work often involved precise, linear execution. The technique here relies on fine hatching and cross-hatching to define the musculature of the figures and the metallic texture of the armour. The composition is balanced and symmetrical, adhering to the strict conventions of heraldic display. The negative space surrounding the central emblem is significant, drawing the eye to the clarity of the line work and the balanced proportions of the figures. Such prints were frequently produced for genealogical records, bookplates, or official documentation, reflecting the period's interest in lineage and formal symbolism. The clean, monochromatic aesthetic provides a clear view of the technical proficiency required for such detailed copperplate work, where every stroke serves to clarify the complex iconography of the coat of arms.