Letter K 1630

This “Letter K”, now in the Art Institute of Chicago, was made by Peter Aubry using engraving techniques sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th century. Look closely, and you will see that the letterform is ornamented with swirling foliage, fantastical creatures, and grotesque masks. Aubry was a prolific printmaker, and his work reflects a time when such images were widely circulated, serving as source material for other artisans. Engraving like this involves considerable skill and labor. The image is incised into a metal plate, which is then inked and printed, and the quality of the impression depends on the engraver's control and the press operator’s care. In this case, the graphic precision would have made the design highly desirable as a template for luxury goods – perhaps incorporated into metalwork, furniture, or even textiles. This “Letter K” represents a moment when the division between fine art and craft was far from distinct. Instead, the flow of images and ideas moved freely across different creative practices.