We are proud to present this painting, created as part of a special commission for the Confraternity of Our Lady, St. Luke and the White Shield (view page here). Our artist, Bettina-Evelin Basarabă-Varga, was honoured to be chosen as one of the first two Associate Artists of the White Shield (AAWS)—a recognition that celebrates both artistic excellence and a deep commitment to the heraldic tradition.

As part of this honour, we were invited to create a new depiction of a coat of arms from the Confraternity’s Livre d'Or—a collection dedicated to preserving the legacy of heraldic artists while also highlighting the talents shaping its future.For this piece, we selected the arms of Sture Bergkvist, originally illustrated by the esteemed Swedish heraldist Dr Jan Erik Raneke.

The painting was executed in gouache and acrylics on A3-sized paper, remaining faithful to the original heraldic elements while rendering it in personal style, colour and detail. In a first for our studio, we added a decorative border to the composition—an artistic gesture that reflects both a reverence for tradition and a spirit of creative exploration.

As a subtle tribute to Dr Raneke’s Swedish heritage, we incorporated the harebell flower (Campanula rotundifolia)—a bloom closely associated with Sweden—into the border. This element offers a quiet symbolic reference, enriching the visual and cultural context of the work.

This project has been both an honour and a creative milestone for us—an opportunity to pay homage to those who have shaped the heraldic arts and to contribute, in our own way, to its evolving story.