Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images images@wellcome.ac.uk http://wellcomeimages.org The coat of arms of virginity. Engraving by P. Velyn after J. Cats.

Two virgins stand as the supporters on either side of an escutcheon. The escutcheon shows an unopened tulip in a vase surrounded by bees (representing suitors around an unmarried girl). The girl on the left exemplifies "Leersucht" (studiousness or docility): she reads a book, rests her elbow on other books, and has the attributes of various learned arts (spinning, music). The girl on the right exemplifies "Eenvoudicheyt" (simplicity): her attributes are a dove and a lamb (innocence). Above, cherubim descend holding a banner with the moto "Lateat dum pateat" (Let it remain hidden until it become open) and with laurel wreaths as rewards for virtue

Lettering: Maeghde-wapen. L.A. Vintcent del. ; P. Velyn sculp.

Credits: Adaptation of an engraving in Jacob Cats, Houwelyck, 1625 (Bedaux, loc. cit., pl. 8, reproduced from the Haarlem 1642 edition) References Jan Baptist Bedaux, 'A bridle for lust', in Jan Bremmer (ed.), From Sappho to De Sade: moments in the history of sexuality, London 1989, pp. 60-68 Engraving 18uu By: Jacob Catsafter: P. Velyn and Lodewyk Antony VintcentThe coat of arms of virginity. Engraving by P. Velyn after J. Cats. Published: [18--]