Printer's Mark of Christopher Plantin 16th-17th century

Curator: Here we have the printer's mark of Christopher Plantin. It's a woodcut, anonymous of course, and currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's so intricate. I’m immediately drawn to the hand reaching down with the compass. It feels like a blessing upon the landscape. Curator: The compass is key. Plantin was known for his precision and accuracy in printing. The mark suggests divine approval, but also the skill and intellect required for his craft. Editor: Right, and the figures holding up the oval... are they allegorical? Atlas perhaps? Or Knowledge and Diligence? Curator: It's hard to say for certain, but their postures do suggest support and dedication. And that deer skull at the bottom, maybe a nod to Plantin's business acumen? Editor: Maybe. To me, it reads as something slightly darker, like a memento mori in a world of intellectual striving. Curator: It's a fascinating piece, packed with symbolism. It shows us just how seriously these early printers took their craft. Editor: Absolutely. Seeing the printer's mark as a symbolic statement reveals the art and intention behind the printing process.