Letter Q c. 1645 - 1650

Jeremias Falck etched this 'Letter Q' during the 17th century, a period when the boundaries between art and craft were joyfully blurred. Look closely, and you'll notice the letter isn't merely a letter, but a vibrant tableau of cherubic faces, swirling foliage, and a curious fish. These motifs aren't unique to Falck; they echo through centuries of art. The cherubs, reminiscent of classical cupids, evoke notions of love and innocence. The fish, a symbol of abundance and transformation, swims through various cultures, from ancient mythology to Christian iconography. Consider how a similar fish appears in Renaissance paintings of Saint Peter, its symbolic weight shifting yet retaining a connection to deeper, perhaps subconscious, associations of faith and transformation. The emotional power of this image lies in its ornamentation, a sensory overload designed to enchant and overwhelm. It's a dance of visual echoes, where ancient symbols find new life.