Letter N from Ovid, Metamorphoses, Paris, 1619 c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have an initial "N" from Ovid's Metamorphoses, printed in Paris around 1619. The artist is currently unknown. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the density of the design. It feels like a harmonious chaos. Curator: Indeed. The letterform itself acts as a scaffold for the figure and the ornamentation. Note the figure’s beard, mirrored in the tassels of the drapery. Editor: And how the textures play against each other! The smoothness of the letter set against the cross-hatching on the figure, and the organic, flowing lines of the vegetal forms. One can almost feel the engraver's hand shaping the metal. Curator: It’s a complex interplay of signifiers—a literal letter, a symbolic figure, and decorative elements, all working to frame and enhance the text of Ovid. Editor: Seeing such craftsmanship reminds one of the labor invested in producing these early printed books. An impressive object. Curator: An intriguing intersection of art, text, and craft.