The complete picture

I have a special appreciation for heraldry, for continuity and graphic symbolism that bridges centuries. In line with my obsessive methodology standards I have started this by bringing in a wonderful expert in the field from the Czech Genealogic and Heraldic Society in Prague, Mr. Stanislav Kasík. His research and analysis of the coat of arms has brought to light many interesting aspects. During the Second World War the productive offices of the Germans have made attempts to change the leaping lion to a running dog. Thankfully they did not get very far with it. Eventually we managed to put together the correct heraldic description, gather sources and I could begin to see what needs to happen to make this a proper lion again.

Old roots & new visions

It never was an anatomically correct lion, it is a heraldic figure and its forms are dictated by established traditions more than biology. My approach to the whole subject was to bring in as little change as possible, to stay true to heraldry but to bring in some contemporary influence. Vimperk is a city with a rich history of book culture and trade but in its current life it is so keen on its sports as well. So the contemporary influence surely have been sports team symbols from around the world. I wanted the lion to stay honest to its late medieval roots but to be a symbol that current and future generations can recognize and identify with. A symbol they can relate to and begin to see as something strong and meaningful that represents their city.

Tower of (symbolic) power

Together the lion and the tower form a strong partnership. As heraldry prescribes they have an optically matching line thickness but the architectural symbol is more geometric while the lion is more organic. Of course I tried to make the lion strictly out of one thickness of line but it felt too digital. The lion needs to have more fluency in its lines. The teeth and the claws are done in a second line thickness as they need to maintain a clearly visible fill down to small sizes.

Project info