Arms of France with Law and Sincerity - Claude Mellan

A 1664 engraving by Claude Mellan depicting the French royal arms flanked by allegorical figures of Law and Sincerity, commissioned for the Parisian notaries.

This engraving by Claude Mellan, dated 1664, functions as an allegorical representation of the legal profession in seventeenth-century Paris. The composition is structured around a central cartouche bearing the royal arms of France, which is flanked by two female figures. These figures embody the virtues of Law and Sincerity, concepts central to the identity of the Parisian notaries for whom the work was commissioned. The figure on the left holds a book, signifying the written statutes and legal codes, while the figure on the right carries an olive branch, a traditional symbol of peace and honesty. Two putti hover above the central shield, adding a decorative element characteristic of the period. Below the shield, a mask is integrated into the scrollwork, a common motif in French Baroque design that adds a sense of theatricality to the formal arrangement.

Mellan is recognised for his technical precision, particularly his mastery of the burin. Unlike many of his contemporaries who relied on cross-hatching to create shadow, Mellan often employed a single, continuous line that varied in thickness to define form and volume. This specific work demonstrates his ability to balance complex iconography with a clear, orderly composition. The inscription at the base identifies the intended audience: the Dean, Syndics, and community of Notaries at the Châtelet of Paris. The print serves as a formal emblem for this professional body, combining heraldic display with classical allegory. The clean lines and balanced symmetry reflect the aesthetic values of the French court during the reign of Louis XIV, where order and clarity were highly prized in both visual arts and civic administration. This piece remains a fine example of seventeenth-century printmaking, documenting the intersection of professional identity and state symbolism.