17th Century French School - Coat Of Arms Of H.r. De Besson De Rozéfort - Watercolor

Watercolor on paper
41 x 31 cm.

Crown: argent on a bend azure charged with a fleur-de-lys or, between two lions gules.
Crest: helmet affronty, surmounted by a child's bust issant.
Tenants: two children supporting the shield
Two collars of orders frame the whole.
Motto: Innocence maintains despite envy.

The iconography is particularly original: a citadel armed with six cannons and a soldier symbolizes Innocence, while at the bottom, in the moat, an allegorical figure embodies Envy.

This is the coat of arms of Henri Robert de Besson de Rozéfort (1627-1697), knight of the Order of Saint-Michel, exempt of the Cent-Suisses de la Garde, one of the thirteen privileged Swiss in this prestigious company, and captain in Mazarin's regiment.

This rare watercolor, of great quality of execution, testifies to the refinement of 17th-century French heraldic art, blending allegorical symbolism and affirmation of social rank.