Letter K c. 1645 - 1650

Jeremias Falck produced this engraving of the letter K in the 17th century. The image, made during the Baroque period, embodies that era's love of ornamentation. The letter itself is formed of swirling, organic shapes. Notice the fantastical creature nestled at the base of the ‘K’—a testament to the period's fascination with the mythical and the exotic. Falck was active in Poland, and his work reflects the influence of the Northern Renaissance as well as the burgeoning scientific curiosity of the time. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, consider what this image represents in the broader context of its time. Literacy was expanding, and printed materials were becoming more accessible. Images like this served not just as decoration but also as symbols of knowledge and learning. As historians, we can delve deeper into the social and cultural meanings embedded in this image by examining its style, its relationship to contemporary printing practices, and its role in the dissemination of knowledge.