Roman Alphabet letter N with Louis XIV decoration 1700 - 1733

Bernard Picart made this Roman alphabet letter "N" sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries, using engraving. Here, the artist has masterfully used the incised line to create a miniature monument to Louis XIV. Note the way he has surrounded the letterform with symbols of the Sun King's power. Look closely: you can see smoking braziers, stylized acanthus leaves, and the mask of a fierce lion. All are rendered with great precision, creating an incredible richness of texture. Engraving is an intaglio process. The artist would have used a tool called a burin to carve the image directly into a copper plate. This labor-intensive process demands both artistry and technical skill. The fine lines, made through repetitive cuts into the metal, create the image. Each print pulled from the plate bears witness to the engraver's meticulous work. Picart’s print, which elevates a humble letterform to the level of high art, reminds us that even the smallest of objects can reflect larger social and political forces.