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A black cat stands in an awkward profile pose, on hind legs with one front paw raised and one lowered, looking directly into the camera while holding a small red fluffy toy in its mouth. Caption: Basically, any European coat of arms…

(alt text by @dgar@aus.social)

  • Yamainwitch@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I’m insomnia scrolling and BAM this just made my night. I always wondered why they did drew them like that. It gives such a “yes Bartholomew I know what a lion looks like” vibe but then you have real life derps and it’s amazing. Thanks for sharing!

    • rockerface 🇺🇦@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      They mostly drew stuff like that because it was popular at the time. People knew how to draw more realistic pictures since, I think, Ancient Greece. At least, they knew about perspective and stuff. But that only resurfaced during the Renaissance, when ancient stuff became popular again

      • andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        I blame technology for that one. Animals on coats of arms are created in one, maybe two colors, they are to be replicated in various sizes and materials. It’s a simplified shape that is easy to copy and can still be read on flags, on documents etc.

      • Yamainwitch@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Hahah man, styles have changed a lot. Thank you for your informative reply, I’m headed down a Wikipedia rabbit hole 😁

      • Jorgelino
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        1 year ago

        That doesn’t really answer why they drew it like that though.

        Surely there’s a reason why that particular style became popular.