Alfabeto Di Lettere Iniziale 1740 - 1760

Mauro Poggi made this engraving of an ornate letter “K” in Italy, sometime in the 1700s. The image is more than just a pretty design; it reflects a very specific time and place in European history. Engravings like this were often commissioned by wealthy families, and would be used to decorate books or stationery. The bird and lion figures, along with the leafy flourishes, would have been understood as symbols of power and prestige. This engraving might seem conservative to us now, but it's worth remembering that even seemingly simple images like this can reinforce existing social hierarchies. To understand this engraving fully, we would want to research the history of Italian printmaking, as well as the social customs of the time. Only then can we begin to understand the full meaning of this beautiful, but perhaps not-so-innocent, artwork.