Printer's Mark of Simon de Colines, Paris (reverse: Initial M from Quintilia, Oratoriarum Institutionum lib. XII, 1541) c. 16th century

Editor: Here we have the Printer's Mark of Simon de Colines, Paris, dating back to 1541. It's an engraving, and the figure is quite striking. What can you tell us about its composition? Curator: Observe how the figure’s dynamic pose, the flowing banner, and the sharp lines of the engraving create a sense of intellectual movement. The winged figure, half-man, half-beast, wields a scythe, suggesting a critical approach to knowledge. Editor: It's interesting how the figure appears both powerful and somewhat unsettling. What's the overall effect of these combined elements? Curator: The tension arises from the contrast between classical ideals and a more grotesque, almost gothic sensibility. It reflects the period's grappling with humanist thought and religious tradition, evident in the formal structure itself. Editor: Fascinating! I hadn't considered the dialogue within the form itself. Curator: Indeed. The piece serves as a powerful visual statement of the printer's intellectual rigor, communicated through the interplay of its formal elements.