Letter H 1683 - 1733

This engraving, "Letter H", was created by Bernard Picart between 1683 and 1733. The artwork features an elaborate, ornamented frame surrounding a depiction of the letter "H" with a winged figure holding a flower garland within the letter's form. The figure is nude and appears to be a representation of Hymen, the Greek god of marriage. The inscription below, "L'hymen unit les maisons de York, et de Lancastre," translates to "Hymen unites the houses of York and Lancaster," indicating a marriage between two families. This small-scale engraving, measuring 41 mm in height and 35 mm in width, is a testament to Picart's skill in creating intricate designs within a miniature format. This artwork, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, is an example of a decorative letterform commonly found in illustrated books and manuscripts of the period.