Ivan Tomko Mrnavić and His Coat of Arms: Self-presentation of an Illyrian Noble

Abstract

The article discusses the coat of arms of Ivan Tomko Mrnavić as a visual sign of his self-presentation. Examples of Mrnavić’ s coat of arms are presented and the contexts of their use interpreted, such as frontispieces, title pages, or seals. Finally, the origin, shape, and meaning of Mrnavić’ s coat of arms is interpreted in relation to his self-fashioned identity as a nobleman, as well as his political views on a possible post-Ottoman state in the region.