Letter M in een omlijsting met een bijbelse voorstelling 17th century

This small print, "Letter M in een omlijsting met een bijbelse voorstelling", was made by an anonymous artist. It is a testament to the rich history and traditions of printmaking. The letter is crisply delineated in white against a dense background that illustrates a biblical scene. This work likely began with the artist carving an image into a block of wood or metal. The fine lines and details we see here were painstakingly cut by hand. The block would have been inked, and then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Prints like these were often produced in multiples, serving a range of purposes from book illustration to decoration. Each print represents a transfer of labor: the artist's skill made available for distribution. By looking closely at this humble initial, we can appreciate the skilled labor and historical context that shaped its creation. This challenges distinctions between fine art and craft.