Letter D in een omlijsting met een voorstelling van David die door Samuël tot koning wordt gezalfd 19th century

This image shows an initial letter D, made by an engraver known only as Monogrammist PC. The image is made by cutting lines into a metal plate, likely copper, inking the surface, and then pressing the plate onto paper. Note the crispness of the lines and the fineness of the detail. The engraver would have used a tool called a burin to create the lines, pushing it through the metal with great force, indicating the significant amount of labor involved in the production process. This printmaking technique allowed for mass production, and it was a crucial means of disseminating images and information in early modern Europe. The letter D is not just a letter, but a frame for a biblical scene, showing Samuel anointing David as King. The image is thus tied to issues of power and authority. Considering the print's materiality and the historical context of its production helps us understand the broad cultural significance of this small, but intricate, artwork.