Letter C 1726

This is ‘Letter C’ an etching made by Bernard Picart in 1726. Notice the cherubic figures intertwined with the letterform, one blowing air and the other holding what appears to be a magnifying glass to initiate fire. Fire, a potent symbol, has coursed through our collective consciousness since the dawn of time. It signifies not only destruction but also transformation, purification, and the spark of creation itself. One can trace the motif of fire through myriad cultural expressions—from the hearths of ancient civilizations, where it represented communal life and warmth, to the alchemical furnaces where it symbolized transmutation. Think of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods, or the burning bush in the Old Testament. The psychological implications of fire are profound, igniting deep-seated emotions and primal memories. Such symbols reveal the cyclical nature of human experience, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new forms across the vast expanse of history.