Letter N c. 1645 - 1650

This is Jeremias Falck’s ‘Letter N’ print, made sometime in the 17th century. Falck worked during the baroque era, a period defined by ornate details. The letter is more than just a typographic symbol; it’s a statement about the value of excess in art. Look closely and you’ll see cherubic faces peering out, nestled amongst swirling leaves. The faces are reminiscent of classical sculptures, and would have been very familiar to Falck’s audience, saturated as they were with the artistic values of the time. This letter sits at a nexus of beauty and indulgence, a reflection of Baroque society’s complex relationship with wealth and aesthetics. The ‘N’ is so much more than a letter; it's a symbol of its time.