Letter M met twee putti op een bouwplaats 1683 - 1733

This small print, Letter M met twee putti op een bouwplaats, was made by Bernard Picart in the early 18th century, using etching and engraving techniques. Look closely, and you’ll see how the bold letterform intersects with a construction site scene populated by putti, or cherubic figures. The meticulous lines, carefully bitten into the metal plate with acid, then printed, reveal a world in formation. The putti, traditionally symbols of innocence, here seem to be active participants in the labor of building. The print is a testament to the engraver’s skill, but also hints at broader social themes. Picart was part of a world that saw the rise of capitalist enterprise, with the printing press itself a key engine of production. The image suggests an analogy between the creation of art and the construction of society. It's a reminder that all cultural artifacts are made by someone, and in some way, reflect the world in which they were produced. It challenges the idea that fine art exists in a realm separate from other forms of making.