The Letter B, from The Alphabet 1466 - 1467

This engraving, The Letter B, was created by Master ES in Germany in the mid-15th century, as part of his series, The Alphabet. At the time, the printing press was rapidly changing patterns of communication. Here, the letter is formed by human figures accompanied by dogs and birds. They wear fashionable clothes, signalling their high social status. Master ES was one of the first to use engraving, a technique that allowed for finer lines and greater detail than woodcuts, the dominant form of printing at the time. This enhanced level of detail would have appealed to wealthy patrons, keen to display their refined taste and education. To understand prints like these, we look at a range of historical materials, from fashion and etiquette manuals to books on birds and animals. Together these help us understand the cultural codes of the time and the values that were circulating in society. We see that art isn't simply the product of individual genius, but the result of social and institutional forces.