Letter V 1630

Peter Aubry created this print, "Letter V," in early seventeenth-century France. During this time, the cultural elite were increasingly interested in design and the decorative arts, and prints like this one offered models for artisans and craftsmen. The elaborate, swirling forms of the letter itself speak to the era’s taste for ornamentation. But the array of faces, some human and some grotesque, also provide insight into the culture of the time. Are they character studies? Caricatures? Grotesques had been popular since the Renaissance, but by the 17th century, artists were increasingly interested in capturing a range of human emotions and expressions. Understanding this image requires us to explore a variety of historical sources, from design manuals to studies of physiognomy. By situating the print within its social and institutional context, we can begin to understand its role in shaping taste and visual culture.