Letter M with Coat of Arms of Maria Anna Christina Victoria, Princess of Bavaria, Dauphine of France (1660-1690) 1690

Curator: This small, anonymous print presents the letter "M" with the coat of arms of Maria Anna Christina Victoria, Princess of Bavaria, Dauphine of France. Editor: It's intricate, yet somewhat austere. The density of the lines really draws my attention to the labor involved in its creation, the etching process... Curator: Absolutely. The lion and fleur-de-lis motifs speak to power and lineage, echoing the princess's identity. It's almost as if the letter "M" transforms into a symbol of her very being. Editor: Given the size, about 7 by 6.7 centimeters, it suggests a private, perhaps personal, object. Not a grand proclamation, but something more intimate, connected to personal displays of status. Curator: Exactly, a miniature emblem of belonging. We can see how the symbolism becomes concentrated, distilled into a potent visual signifier of her place in the world. Editor: It makes me think about the role of prints in circulating these kinds of images and ideas. Who was the audience? How did it function within the broader landscape of courtly production? Curator: Indeed. It's more than just a letter, or a coat of arms, but a whole world of meaning captured in miniature. Editor: I appreciate the chance to consider the hands and contexts that brought this piece to life, seeing the labor woven into its symbolic representation.